Villagers see red over planning gaffe
SALVAGE chiefs have admitted breaking planning rules by moving onto a site without permission. Synetiq has conceded it is up and running in East Dunbartonshire, despite its application yet to be given the green light by the council or the local community.
Bosses at the firm say the mixup is a result of Covid-19-related issues and insist the Balmore Road premises, near Torrance, is only being used to store vehicles ahead of auction.
The Baldernock Community Council (BCC) is among those to raise concerns by the breach, saying they have been denied the opportunity to submit their views on the project.
David Wooton, chairman of the BCC, said: “We noticed activity going on at the site and thought that was unusual.
“We would normally be given a planning application and have our chance to submit our views but this hadn’t happened.
“We’ve seen car transports going in and out and delivering to the site, but they don’t have permission. They have also put signage around the area.
“We haven’t even had a chance to submit our thoughts and they have just bypassed the process. That’s the main concern.
“Some members do have concerns about also traffic on the road and near the site.”
The BCC also alleges photographs have already appeared on Synetiq’s website showcasing vehicles for auction from Balmore Road.
In plans submitted by Synetiq, it says the Balmore Road premises will have the capacity to hold around 1500 motors. The company also hopes to recycle vehicles which have been written off.
Synetic bosses conceded the breach after being approached by us and have now promised to work with the BCC and East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) to ease the concerns of the local community.
Richard Martin, managing director of Synetiq, said: “We were given three months’ notice on our previous Glasgow site and have suffered a number of setbacks and delays with the wider planning process due to the lockdown and closure of companies arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are storing vehicles for insurance companies pending settlement of claims.
“Upon settlement the vehicles are sold at auction or recycled – all recycling currently takes place at other Synetiq sites and will not take place on the Balmore Road site until all the relevant planning and licensing is in place.
“Given the site’s industrial use we did not envisage a problem with vehicles storage.”
Thomas Glen, EDC’s depute chief executive – Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said: “Concerns have been raised as regards the site on Balmore Road, and Council officers are investigating matters in relation to compliance with planning and licensing requirements.”