Boomtown rats ... pest population explodes
A Murdostoun councillor has hit out at the Scottish Government after a housebuilder began felling trees as part of the Cleland Hospital development.
Around six months ago, a tree preservation order was put in place for the trees on the Persimmon Homes site before the Scottish Government’s Reporter overturned the decision of North Lanarkshire Council to refuse permission last year.
Residents are now concerned that work to destroy many trees has already begun.
Councillor Louise Roarty, who worked with residents and Cleland Community Council in opposing the proposals from the outset believes Holyrood is to blame for the destruction given it permitted the development to go ahead.
She said: “This is just the latest in a long line of issues which arise when the SNP Government in Edinburgh overturn the wishes of local communities like Cleland.
“This development should never have been permitted and the council made its feelings known by rejecting the application. But yet again, the SNP chose to call in the council’s decision and run roughshod over the local community who were set against this proposal from the beginning.
“If the SNP hadn’t granted this development, these trees would never have been destroyed.
“The responsibility for environmental destruction of the site rests squarely on their shoulders.
“I’ll continue to work with both residents and the community council to ensure their concerns are heard and that the council does everything within its limited powers to make the progress of this unwanted development as easy as possible for my constituents.”
Persimmon Homes North Scotland stated that they were keen to reassure residents that they were retaining many of the trees at the Cleland site and only trees approved for removal under the planning consent will be felled.
The Wishaw Press requested a comment from the Scottish Government.
However, at the time of going to print no statement had been sent.
Rat populations are on the increase, with experts warning that council cuts will lead to even worse problems.
Pest controllers, Pest.co.uk have said that council cuts could send rat populations spiralling out of control in 2021.
There has been a 25 per cent increase in rat population during 2020, with Wishaw seeing estimated numbers soar from 53,472 in 2019 to 66,840 in 2020.
This has led local politicians to speak out, as they have seen an increase within their communities in regards to rat issues.
SNP Councillor for Murdostoun, Cameron McManus, has noticed an increase in ratrelated complaints in Newmains.
The area had rat issues last year, which proved a difficult time for residents having to live with them.
Councillor McManus said: “Labour’s decision to introduce collection charges and do away with the yearly free uplifts hasn’t helped the situation, neither has their decision to go against their 2017 council elections promise of not changing the bin schedules along with the decision to go from six council pest control officers down to one.
“Labour and the council need to put their hands up and accept the mess they’ve made.
“The council’s strategy last year to tackle the issue within Newmains helped for a few months but, yet again, over the winter period the sightings and reports have increased.
“This is an issue across the North
Lanarkshire area not just within the Murdostoun ward.”
North Lanarkshire Council said there is help available for rat-related issues, but that people also have a role to play.
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of certain areas affected by rats and we work with the local community to address this.
“Rats rely on a food source to thrive so it is important that residents do not leave out any food and keep their household bin lids closed and away from a fence or wall.
“Rats will be able to get into bins if the lids are open even slightly.
“Problems with rats must be treated by professional pest control experts to ensure baiting is carried out safely and correctly.
“The council has two pest control officers and we have contractors to assist with this service. For information, contact the council on 01698 403110.”