Concerns over developers plan to chop 41 trees near Glasgow
The developers, however, have submitted a change with council planners to enhance access, parking bays and paths, and to remove even more trees than originally planned.
Residents opposed to the plans say the loss of trees, including a huge sycamore to make way for a "single parking bay", will 'change the local skyline forever".
The trees can be seen in the background of those photo of Barrhead High School (Image: Sourced) A resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'We have identified an abundance of European protected (tree) species at Lyoncross and the current planning application from Briar is wholly inadequate with regards to it not having any information to support European species being there and is more than three years out of date.
'It has many failings to check properly in a nature sensitive area (e.g for bats) and it is also not compliant with the national planning framework that hedgerows and trees that support protected species should not be removed unless there is overwhelming public interest to do so."
The resident also claims that bat detectors have shown an abundance of European protected species including the common pipistrelle and the soprano pipistrelle.
There are also believed to be two nesting herons on the site.
'They (Briar Homes) have started to move heavy machinery onto the site with total disregard for nature and the law,' explained the resident.
'We think there is foul play here. It's really disgusting what is happening.
'We haven't had any response from Briar Homes and their construction people are very disrespectful as they clearly don't understand the law and what nature is there."
Lyoncross Farmhouse (Image: Sourced)
'This tree lined avenue must be saved to protect European species and maintain the listed house setting (of the 18th century Lyoncross farmhouse)," they added.
'This should be saved for the heritage of the people of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, as part of Dams to Darnley and Scotland nationally and in keeping with East Renfrewshire Council's Barrhead South master town plan.
'The people of East Renfrewshire will never forgive the council if this is done.'
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An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: 'We're currently working with the developers to ensure all of the pre-commencement conditions relating to the approved application are addressed.
"This amended application is currently being considered in line with all relevant legislation and will go before the planning applications committee in due course."
A spokesperson from Briar Homes, added: 'Following the purchase of the land in May 2025, and in keeping with demand, our mission is to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes in Barrhead.
"We support the wider regeneration of Barrhead including contributions towards affordable housing and an extensive landscaping and tree provision strategy.
"We have been consulting and collaborating with East Renfrewshire Council on all aspects of development.
"We continue to engage with local residents and our construction approach aims to prioritise the health and safety of both workers and the community while minimising disruption to residents.
"In accordance with an amendment to the existing planning permission, we have agreed with East Renfrewshire Council to appoint an ecological consultant to advise on all construction works on the site, which includes an updated European protected species survey.
"We can confirm that no tree felling will take place until a full bat roost potential and bird nesting survey has taken place."
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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Tributes to a ‘force of nature' who fell in love with far-flung Malawi
Died: May 31, 2025. BETTY CUNNINGHAM OBE, who has died aged 79, was more than once described as 'a force of nature'. This is a quality I discovered for myself in late 2007 when I accompanied her to Malawi. The landlocked south-eastern African country and its people exerted a special fascination for Betty, and a foundation bearing her name had been constructing nurseries, a clinic and other much-needed facilities in Kaponda, an impoverished village an hour's drive from the capital, Lilongwe. We made the 17-hour-long flight to Lilongwe via Amsterdam, Nigeria and Zambia. When we landed, I was weary and craved nothing more than a stiff drink, something to eat, and an early night. Betty, however, was raring to go, and, sitting in the front passenger seat of a 4x4, she set to work and began a long succession of meetings with local officials. Betty, who at that time was the deputy provost of East Renfrewshire Council, was on her fifth visit to the country that year. Kaponda was an eye-opening experience. The villagers, back then, lived in clay-built, thatched-roof huts that were tiny, dank and unlit. Families slept on makeshift mats on the ground. Electricity and sanitation were unknown. I kept seeing Betty, and her distinctive hairdo, everywhere: talking to village elders, cradling infants and toddlers, and even, at one stage, admonishing a man who tried to take more than his fair share of donated clothes. The arrival of a lorry bearing boxes of blankets, duvets, clothes, teddy bears and football strips was a cause of communal celebration. 'We have such a thirst now for providing, because the need here is so great,' Betty said. 'We want to be part of providing for the orphans and the kids with families, to help them see a future that is more than just the things they see every day. I always get emotional coming here. I've got over the feelings of pity I had at first, and I know what is needed to give them hope and a real future. I've come to regard them as almost my own family.' Read more: In the days that followed, she would return with rice, flour and cooking oil, bicycles and sweets for the children. She was tireless, and seemed never to need a rest from her endeavours. Betty made countless visits to Malawi over the ensuing years, taking a substantial number of East Renfrewshire people with her, and when she received an OBE from the late Queen in the New Year's Honours of 2011, it was for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. East Renfrewshire Council said in a statement that the Betty Cunningham International Trust, as it was now known, had transformed the lives of people living in Kaponda. Elizabeth Wood was born on May 19, 1946 to William and Elizabeth Wood, of Barrhead. She was educated at the local St John's Primary and St John's High. She was working at the Wm Grant whisky bond, as a chargehand and a union representative when, towards the end of the 1990s she was asked by Walter McCready, a well-known local figure and a former provost of Barrhead and Renfrew District Council, to consider standing for election in his ward as he was due to retire. She agreed and went on to serve the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor ward in a steadfast manner for 26 years, working tirelessly on behalf of her constituents. As provost between 2003 and 2007 she enjoyed a high profile. West of Scotland MSP Paul O'Kane said she 'worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the provost came to officiate at an event; this often included a run in the 'provost's motor''. She also raised thousands of pounds for charities. In 2007, then prime minister Tony Blair visited the area for a meet-the-people engagement: six tables, eight people apiece, all from a cross-section of East Renfrewshire society. 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In a Holyrood motion commemorating her passing, he described her as 'a force of nature most often to be found on her mobile phone dealing with constituents' problems'. East Renfrewshire Provost Mary Montague said: 'Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it'. Tributes were also paid by Kirsten Oswald, a former SNP MP for East Renfrewshire, and by Jackson Carlaw, Conservative MSP for Eastwood, who, in a post on X, said: 'While always full of mischief East Renfrewshire Labour councillor & former Provost Betty Cunningham ... was respected for her lifetime of service to & pride in her Barrhead home town. A true character'. Last year Betty was presented with the Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit awards. Daughter Helen said: 'She was an amazing person who lived for others. When she was on the council she loved meeting all sorts of people, from school kids to pensioners' groups, and she was brilliant when it came to helping people in need. She fell in love with the people of Malawi, too. I'm proud of everything she achieved'.
Wales Online
5 days ago
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People heard squeaking near a stream and the answer was impossibly cute
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Daily Mirror
09-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
EXCLUSIVE: 'I let a zoo feed my pet rabbit to the tigers, it was a super-nice experience'
A Danish zoo, which caused international outrage after asking the public to donate their unwanted "healthy pets" for predators, has defended its actions, stating that the animals need "fur and bones." Aalborg Zoo in North Jutland posted a plea on social media for live rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs to be donated, which its trained staff would "gently euthanise". The zoo explained that these animals are "an important part of the diet of our predators - especially the European lynx, which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild." Aalborg Zoo, which is home to 1,500 animals belonging to 126 species, also sought donations of live horses under 147cm tall with a pet passport. Furthermore, it mentioned that if pet owners need to rehome animals "for various reasons", they could bring up to four small species at a time. It comes as a millionaire hunter was gored to death by 'Black Death' buffalo he was trying to kill. The zoo's statement read: "In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the animals' natural food chain - for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity," adding, "Nothing goes to waste - and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators." Pet owner Kristina Meincke recounted her experience of surrendering her rabbit, which was then humanely put down and served as food for the carnivores. She commended the zoo for the "super nice" process. Her feedback was positive, writing on social media: "This is such a fine arrangement. I have delivered a rabbit to you, and it was a super nice and professional experience."
