New plans submitted for site of former club
Plans to redevelop the site of the old Wishaw ExServicemen’s Club have been submitted.
The council’s planning department has received an application from the JR Group and MAST Architects to build a three-storey block of 12 flats with associated landscaping and car parking.
The application comes one year after the council booted out a similar application to build homes on the site.
Wishaw Ex-Servicemen’s Club, first opened its doors in 1953 but closed its doors for the final time back in January 2018.
In July 2019, the council gave the go-ahead to demolish the building.
In Au g u s t l a s t y e a r, p l a n s t o construct new flats on the site were rejected.
In his report, NLC case officer Keith Bathgate said: “Overall it is considered the proposal would be significant over-development of the site.
“If the site were to be developed to a similar density to the immediate neighbours it would be suitable for perhaps one detached house or a pair of semi-detached homes.
“However, it is considered that a four-storey development of 12 units is beyond the capacity of the site.”
Already there have been letters of objection submitted to the council in relation to the proposed development.
One objector states: “This is the third application in two years to build a block of 12 flats and is an overdevelopment of a small corner site.
“The overall height of the building has been reduced since the last application, however, it still creates an unacceptable intrusion to the area.
“The proposed building is totally out of character with neighbouring houses.
“Parking would also be a problem with a roundabout being so close to the site, any excess cars would have to park on the street near the roundabout or in nearby streets like Cleland Road.”
Another added: “The overall height of the building has been reduce, however, it still creates an unacceptable intrusion on to my house and garden.
“A smaller development of single storey housing would be a welcome and satisfactory alternative given the limited space, as previously suggested by NLC’s planning department.”