Shotts gets a shot in the arm
A major development to breath new life into an area of Shotts has been given the green light.
Councillors officially passed plans from Shotts Getting Better Together (GBT) to replace the existing Springhill community hall.
As well as providing a brand new hall for the local community, the plans will also a see a new pump track for biking enthusiasts, as well as a children’s play area, community growing garden, multi-use sports pitch, pathways, parking and landscaping.
And having been given permission from councillors, work can now begin transforming the area.
Council planners had earlier given their approval and recommended permission be granted before it went to the full planning committee.
Planners noted: “The proposal will replace an existing dilapidated community hall with new and superior premises, whilst also developing a large but underused area of grass open space to provide facilities for outdoor recreation and activity, all of which is supported by local plan policy.
“The new building would have no adverse impacts on amenity or infrastructure, and subject to suitable conditions, the relationship between the outdoor recreation facilities and landscaping and the neighbouring homes is also considered to be acceptable and in line with policy.
“Accordingly, it is recommended that planning permission be granted.”
Seven letters of representation were received from local residents, none of whom expressed any objection to the replacement community centre building, but who raised various concerns about other aspects of the proposal.
Issues raised included the proposed multi-use games area (MUGA) potentially causing noise and disturbance for nearby residents; the proposal may attract more youths and give rise to increased antisocial behaviour, and more information being needed about the use and supervision of the MUGA pitch to avoid late-night or unsupervised use.
Planners attempted to address those concerns.
The report adds: “The representations fall into two categories.
“Those relating to possible antisocial behaviour at the proposed recreation facilities, and those relating to landscaping matters at the north-west corner of the site.
“I n t e r m s o f t h e f o r m e r, i t i s understood that some residents have experienced problems in the past with young people hanging around near the site and they are concerned that providing a cycle track and MUGA pitch will worsen these problems by attracting more people to the location.
“It’s the intention of the proposal to provide improved recreational facilities for young people and therefore to reduce the likelihood of antisocial behaviour in the area.”