MSP vows to fight on against Europark plans

A Central Scotland MSP has said the company behind the planned Europark development must“put the views of local people – not their pursuit of profit – first”

Richard Leonard has called on Orchard Brae Ltd to withdraw their plans to build on the greenbelt between Calderbank and Carnbroe.

The developers submitted“updated and enhanced”plans to North Lanarkshire Council for Europark project last month following an extensive review of a community and stakeholder consultation process.

The feedback resulted in a reduced scale of the initial plans and the removal of all development to the north of Calderbank, resulting in a reduction in housing provision from 2600 to 2350.

The centrepiece of the project remains a new country and heritage park, featuring the Monkland Canal and Calder Water.

With the removal of the Calderbank development, the parkland area has been increased and now spans 66 per cent of the overall site (162.4 hectares).

But Mr Leonard remains unconvinced by the changes and said: “Orchard Brae proposed a residentialled mixed use development on the land over three years ago with 2600 houses but have now submitted revised proposals to North Lanarkshire Council. It is clear that the developers are determined that their profits are more important than the views of local people.

“Well I have a message for them; we are equally determined that this land needs to be protected and enhanced for future generations. This latest proposal will once again be met with resistance.

“It is astonishing that this re-drafted proposal was made at the very time that world leaders gathered less than 20 miles away in Glasgow for COP26 to talk about the importance of meeting our climate change targets.

“We cannot allow our greenbelt to be lost acre by acre. If it goes, it goes forever.

“I will be standing with the community and local groups such as the Woodhall, Faskine, and Palacecraig Conservation Group to oppose this development and to back them in the campaign for 100 per cent of this land to be retained in the greenbelt so that it can be enjoyed now and long into the future.”