Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 15:30
PUBLIC HEARING FOR NESTLE SITE
By Caireen Kelly
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A public hearing is to be held in two weeks to decide the fate of a controversial planning application.
Barrhead Gateway Ltd, which comprises Hamilton-based Banks Developments and Edinburgh’s FM Developments, put forward plans last year to build commercial and residential properties on the site of the town’s former Nestle Purina factory on Glasgow Road.
But in January East Renfrewshire Council made no determination on the application which they say contradicts the local plan for the area.
The developers made the decision to appeal to the Scottish Government for a public hearing.
East Renfrewshire Council said the site should only be developed for industrial or retail purposes as is stated in the local plan and because of this they could not allow the plot to be used for residential housing.
The plans include around 120 residential units, as well as a new neighbourhood centre, fast food outlet and car showroom, which will transform what has become a derelict site since the factory closed.
It represents the first phase of wider regeneration proposals along the Glasgow Road corridor named Levern Park by Barrhead Gateway Ltd.
And developers hope that Levern Park
will eventually cover around 75
acres and help create around 500
new jobs.
Chairman of Barrhead
Community Council, Vincent Waters plans to attend the inquiry to give evidence.
Talking on behalf of the community council, he said: “This part of Glasgow Road is best suited to industrial use and not commercial or residential purposes.
“Two principal reasons for this is that we are trying to attract particular kinds of business into the town and that this kind of development creates a mini-village with no connection
to Barrhead.”
The public hearing will take place in Dalmeny Community Centre from 9am to 5pm, from August 26 to 29.
The hearing is conducted by a reporter from the Scottish Government and the decision will be made by the reporter following the hearing for which no time scale has been given.
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