Greenbelt campaign gathers momentum
Published 14 Jan 2012 09:30
A former politician has thrown his weight behind the bid to stop developers creating another major housing scheme on Neilston's under-pressure greenbelt land.
Neilston resident Allan Stewart, who was local Conservative MP and a high profile Scottish Office minister until he quit politics in the late 90's, has since lived in quiet semi-retirement, and hasn't until now been numbered among local residents keen to make their voices heard on planning issues.
But the man who once framed a potent blueprint for the development of East Renfrewshire has entered the lists to damn the scheme as a move that would wholly subvert Neilston's historic Renaissance Charter - and has left developers Lynch Homes and Link Group in no doubt they now have a major planning battle on their hands.
Mr Stewart was Scottish Office Planning Minister, and during his tenure was acknowledged on both sides of the Commons as a master of debate who seldom lost an argument.
Now the parliamentary veteran of many a bruising Westminster encounter has joined the growing ranks of local residents who argue "enough is enough".
In an exclusive statement to the Barrhead News the former MP has made clear his disgust not only at the controversial Lynch and Link scheme - planned for a site beside scenic Lintmill Dam - but also at the rush to urbanise Neilston with a whole series of similar plans from other house builders.
As a member of the Lintmill Action Group, formed to fight the plan to build 81 homes, he joins the fight with the knowledge that he was among those who saw off a similar proposal from Lynch Homes 15 years ago.
This article appeared in Barrhead News 12 Jan 12
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