River restoration works in Lennoxtown given approval
The works include the removal of hard banking at five locations, which will allow the river to flood more naturally, improving the habitat for wildlife and the general condition of the river.
Sections of embankment are also to be removed, which will allow the river to inundate its floodplain on a more natural cycle, every one or two years. This will improve the transfer of sediments and reduce the amount of silt in the water, benefiting the growth of rare habitat such as wetlands and wet woodland.
Two shallow ponds, known as scrapes, will be formed between the river and the John Muir Way path. These will improve water retention in the floodplain and create wetlands for the benefit of wildlife.
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Large wooden structures will be placed to stabilise the banks, extending at least eight metres into the river channel, again supporting the transportation of sediment.
One relic of the area's industrial past will be removed, that being the remains of the collapsed Graystanes Weir. It has been targeted as it is causing erosion along the banks of the river and putting the John Muir Way path at risk while also obstructing fish migration.
The safety of the Strathkelvin Railway Path is also currently under threat due to erosion of the north bank of the river, so a protective wooden structure will be installed. This will consist of two tiers of tree trunks with root plates.
A smaller structure will also be erected on the south side of the river where bank erosion has resulted in the loss of some farmland and the landowner requested assistance.
Tree management is also an element of this planned work, with selected tree felling and planting as well as the removal of invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendrons.
A report to the committee from council officers recommended granting permission for the works, subject to a list of conditions, but the council had also received 73 objections during the application's consultation period.
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Many of the objectors cited concerns over flood risk to properties with 77 points about this listed in the report, while other issues raised related to the impact on ancient woodland, the effect on habitat and wildlife, risks of spreading invasive species to other areas, risk of contamination due to the presence of pollutants from the area's industrial past, wider aspects of health and safety, the effect on nearby footpaths, opposition to removing the weir, the handling of the planning process, and more.
As the committee considered the report, Councillor Paul Ferretti (SNP, Bishopbriggs North & Campsie) moved to refuse the application while convener Callum McNally (Labour, Lenzie & Kirkintilloch South) supported the recommendation in the report that it should be granted subject to conditions.
Part of the report read: 'The proposed development will to an extent change the character of the site and of the woodland that it contains, including the Ancient Woodland, over the longer term, in view of the proposed river restoration works.
'However, it is considered that this change in character will have a positive impact on the site and of the natural environment that it contains, in terms of improving its resilience to climate change and in terms of the benefits that this will have in improving and enhancing its ecological diversity, improving water quality and improving the management of the woodland environment.'
Councillor Ferretti said he was opposed to the application due to the impact it would have in the short term on the Glazert Valley area, as well as the ancient woodland and also the removal of the weir which he considered a historic asset to the village.
In the resultant vote, nine members voted to grant the application while five voted to refuse.
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