Livery buildings could be demolished for houses

Livery buildings in Strathblane could be demolished to make way for five new homes.

Mr G Sweeney has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for the project at Bankend House stable at Bankend.

In documents submitted with the proposal, agents for Mr Sweeney said:“bankend House, and its related range of redundant livery buildings and stables, lies next to the junction of Strathblane Road (A81) and Craigmaddie Road. The site lies approximately one kilometre south west of Mugdock Country Park, and just over one kilometre north of Milngavie.

“Bankend House used to function as a commercial livery, but this business closed some time ago, and the site is now largely empty, other than some limited use by the owners of Bankend House, Mr and Mrs Westwood. They live in Bankend House, and will continue to do so. They are also retaining ownership of the oldest building on the site, which is a stone built stable building attached to their home. This building previously received detailed planning permission in 2003 to be converted to a dwelling, although that permission was never implemented. The remainder of Mr and Mrs Westwood’s land (ie the application site and other adjacent land) is being purchased by Mr Sweeney.”

The agents said the 0.96 hectare application site has six separate disused buildings within it comprising of a single shed, four stable blocks, and the largest building, which is an indoor arena.

They added:“the existing access to Bankend House, and the former livery, is located at the junction of Strathblane Road and Craigmaddie Road. Because of where the existing access is located, on a corner close to a junction, and with restricted visibility in both directions, the junction has always been problematic, verging on the dangerous, and so Mr and Mrs Westwood have long considered the idea of replacing this access with a new one further south on the A81. This will allow the closure of the existing access, which, we understand, would be seen as a significant benefit to local highway safety by Stirling Council Infrastructure (Roads) and local residents.

“Planning permission has been granted by East Dunbartonshire Council for this new access and access track, and this is being commenced now. It will be completed using some of the proceeds from the redevelopment of the application site and the sale of plots.

“Redevelopment of the application site will allow the closure of the existing access next to the A81/craigmaddie Road junction. This junction is known locally as a dangerous location, and a crash map shows there having been four accidents in the last 20 years that have caused injury, three slight and one serious. Mr and Mrs Westwood are aware of many, many more non-injury accidents and near misses.”

The agents said the applicant is local and will employ local people to build the new dwellings, with an anticipated over £2.5 million to be invested in the local economy in constructing the houses and supporting local jobs.

Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.