By Monica Gibson

COMMUNITY councillors have hit out at planning officials over proposals for housing developments in Neilston which they deem “unnecessary.”

John Scott, chairman of Neilston Community Council, believes a “golden opportunity” to increase the village’s affordable housing stock was missed when Wallace Land acquired a site in Neilston Road and developers Taylor-Wimpey subsequently submitted a planning application for 149 homes.

He explained: “Barrhead Housing Association have now unveiled their plans to build 14 affordable units on Pig Square/Kirkstyle Lane but this only gives a total of 29 new units and we know the Neilston Road development should have contained 37, so the quota has still not been reached.

“The community council understands the shortfall is because the planners believe the people of Neilston want housing in infill development, not on greenbelt, but the Taylor Wimpey application combined with the Barrhead Housing Association in Kirkstyle Lane gives us both.”

At a recent consultation on the Pig Square development, Barrhead Housing Association stated there were approximately 248 applicants looking to be rehoused in Neilston, 15 per cent of them want to remain in Neilston.

Mr Scott says these figures bring greater problems.

He added: “Social needs housing can’t be ringfenced for residents of particular areas. They must be allocated strictly on the basis of need.

“It is entirely possible that no Neilston residents would be allocated any of the new units.”

Mr Scott believes increasing the number of affordable rented units at the Neilston Road site by 14 would wipe out the current housing deficit in the Levern Valley Area, without having mean there is no need to build on green space in the centre of the village.

East Renfrewshire Council insists it is committed to ensuring the area has the right mix of homes to meet the needs of all residents and this is taken into account when dealing with all planning applications.

A spokesman said: “Over the last five years, 238 affordable homes have been added to the area’s housing stock - well exceeding the council’s target of 150 units.

We are committed to ensuring we have the right mix of homes across the area to meet the needs of all our residents and this is taken into account when dealing with all planning applications.

“The Supplementary Planning Guidance for affordable housing provides flexibility, with each site examined on a case by case basis in order to meet local circumstances and housing needs.

“It is also made clear that the minimum 25 per cent affordable housing contribution may be made on site, off site or by means of a financial payment.

“This application for Kirkstyle Lane is still under consideration and once it has been fully assessed will be presented to councillors for a decision in due course.”