Graeme Souness demands councillors excuse themselves from vote in £350m deal row
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Football legend Souness claims some North Lanarkshire councillors may have breached impartiality rules.
Scotland football legend Graeme Souness has called for councillors to excuse themselves from voting on a £350million deal that could bring thousands of jobs to North Lanarkshire.
Souness's Orchard Brae firm is proposing a development near Coatbridge which is due to be voted on this month, on June 12. The development would be built on green belt land between Calderbank and Carnbroe.
Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig Conservation Group, which opposes the plans, has held several public meetings about the development.
Souness claims he has 'evidence' attending councillors made their views clear on how they would vote on the application at these meetings – breaking impartiality rules.
One attendee, Labour councillor Michael McBride, has previously stated he would 'oppose development on the green belt' on campaign material and was involved with the Woodhall campaign group.
Souness said: "I believe there are more than just Michael McBride who have crossed that line and should exclude themselves. [McBride] has clearly excluded himself from my understanding of the rules.
"I have evidence he is not alone in going to objectors' meetings and declaring a stance on it, which should automatically exclude them from taking part in a vote on this application."
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However, a spokeswoman for the Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig group said: 'At all meetings it has been clearly stated by the group, councillors are there to observe only and not to provide comment.
'Ultimately, the council's legal services will decide who is eligible to vote on this decision which will greatly affect the local communities surrounding this behemoth of an application site.'
We revealed last week that Amazon and delivery firm Evri are in talks to operate from the site, which could create up to 2000 jobs following the closure of the Amazon depot in Gourock in 2023. Councillor McBride was contacted for comment.
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