Latest news with #BriarHomes
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
More Barrhead trees to be chopped down despite opposition
Briar Homes was granted permission to build on land around C-listed Lyoncross House, off Aurs Road, last year, despite council officials recommending the scheme was rejected. The firm then asked for approval to chop down 16 additional trees and retain 10 which were set to be removed in order to meet the drainage requirements of Scottish Water. Planners recommended the proposal was approved but over 40 residents had objected – and Cllr Annette Ireland, an independent, moved that it was rejected. However, Cllr Paul Edlin, Conservative, moved that permission to cut down the trees was granted. There were two votes for each proposal and the application was approved on the casting vote of Cllr Andrew Morrison, Conservative, who was chairing the planning meeting. READ MORE: Developer behind Barrhead homes plans to cut down more trees Approval for the homes was given in March last year despite officials having concerns over the lack of affordable housing, the impact on Dams to Darnley Country Park and the loss of 'established' trees. They also said the proposal was 'not anticipated or planned for' within a Barrhead South masterplan, with homes already under construction or approved fulfilling 'an allocated capacity'. Cllr Ireland, who didn't attend the original meeting where permission for the homes was granted due to ill health, said she was 'really shocked' it had passed. She said there were 'really good solid planning reasons' for it to be refused as well as a 'plea from education [department] about there not being enough spaces in the local primary school'. 'I think it's important given where we are now that we actually now protect the environment and the amenity of what is left after this permission was granted,' she added. READ MORE: Firm reveals plans to start building controversial new development A council official said it had been 'within the gift' of the planning committee to go against the recommendation to refuse. 'What the developer is seeking to do here is to implement the planning permission that has been granted to them,' she said. 'In their negotiations with Scottish Water, they were unable to include the attenuation tank in the original location.' The committee heard how the 'drainage plan approved by Scottish Water requires the provision of underground attenuation tanks' – which collect excess water. These tanks can 'only be provided in the west of the site at the lower end of the access road', an official said, and this 'necessitates the removal of the 16 trees that are to be felled if the section 42 application is granted'. Councillors were told it was the 'only solution they could find that Scottish Water would accept' and the developers had then tried to 'identify any other trees that they previously had permission to remove to try and retain those in order to create a balance'.
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Concerns over developers plan to chop 41 trees near Glasgow
Briar homes was due to start construction work in mid-June to build 39 homes adjacent to the Avant Homes Weavers Lea/Littleton Park development in Barrhead, on the former site of Lyoncross Farm. 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.' READ NEXT: Plans progress for cycling and skateboarding track 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."
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Glasgow Times
Outrage over locked playpark and plan to destroy 41 trees near Glasgow
Those living in Barrhead's Littleton Park say they have been left in limbo for over a year due to hold ups in the completion and adoption of their estate which has kept children's play parks and green spaces fenced off and inaccessible. It is understood the estate, which was officially named Weavers Lea by the developer, was supposed to be completed by Avant Homes and adopted by East Renfrewshire Council a year ago. The Littleton Park estate (Image: Sourced) Homeowners, however, say they have now been told this will not happen until the construction of 39 properties by Briar Homes is completed adjacent to the site, on the former site of Lyoncross Farm, leaving families stuck in 'an unsafe, incomplete environment'. Briar homes was due to start construction work in mid-June, but have submitted a change with council planners to enhance access/parking bays/paths, and to remove even more trees than originally planned. A resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'The play park was supposed to be open last year yet the kids still can't use it because it's fenced off. 'They have nowhere else to play as we are surrounded by construction and fencing. It's really unfair on them. 'The council and developers continue to avoid answering questions about the adoption delay of the estate's roads and infrastructure. 'Residents are calling for an immediate pause on further development until a new, independent environmental and arboriculture assessment is completed, and until the promised masterplan infrastructure including safe pedestrian routes and green spaces is delivered.' Aurs Road construction traffic (Image: Sourced) The construction traffic from the Briar Homes site will also pass directly through residential streets in Littleton Park and go right past the children's play area. 'Briar Homes has not secured the necessary permissions or legal rights to use these private estate roads for heavy vehicles,' added the resident. 'On leaving our estate, Aurs Road is a single-lane bottleneck controlled by temporary traffic lights – there's no room for further construction traffic. 'Residents fear for the safety of the children and the families, yet their request to delay construction until the delayed Aurs Road project is finished has been rejected by the council.' The trees are part of the local skyline (Image: Sourced) Briar Homes are now proposing to remove 41 trees which residents say are 'mature and ecologically viable' in Dams to Darnley Country Park. This it is claimed includes endangered species of Ash and Elm and is being done based on 'outdated tree surveys from 2021'. The trees can be seen in the distance from Barrhead train station (Image: Sourced) It is understood by residents that a huge sycamore on the new Briar Homes site will be lost to make way for a "single parking bay". READ NEXT: We saved this historic building from a state of disrepair This has been described as a 'nature crime' by another resident who is also worried that the loss of trees will destroy bat and bird habitats. The trees at Lyoncross Mound (Image: Sourced) Concerns have also been raised about the listed 18th-century Lyoncross Farmhouse, an important architectural feature of the area, which is said to 'remain neglected without any conservation plan, while the proposed housing obscures its visibility and context'. Lyoncross Farmhouse (Image: Sourced) 'Residents have been left out of key decisions - no neighbour notifications, no updated consultations, and no clear communication on why these projects are being pushed through despite public and environmental objections,' added the first resident. READ NEXT: Inside the superb modern home for sale worth over £300k A spokesperson from Briar Homes, said: '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.' An Avant Homes spokesperson said: 'Our development in Barrhead was fully completed last June and the roads on the development are all final surfaced. 'Following a joint inspection visit with officers of ERC's roads department in May 2025, a list of minor remedial works has been agreed and our contractor is scheduling these to be done. We anticipate these works will be completed by the beginning of September. 'The play park is fully installed and is, at present, purposely fenced off to allow the grass and planting to become established before it is opened to the public. The local council is aware of the approach we are taking. 'A full inspection and health and safety approval from our play park designer is also required before it can be opened and we are arranging for this to take place in line with the fencing removal. We anticipate that the play park will open by the end of June.' Regarding the Briar Homes development, the Avant Homes spokesperson added: 'Briar Homes is an entirely separate housebuilder to Avant Homes which is developing land adjacent to our site in Barrhead. 'As part of the planning consent granted to Briar Homes by the local authority, construction traffic for their development will pass through a limited part of our site. 'Once the construction traffic is no longer required by Briar Homes, the local authority will be in a position to adopt the roads on our development.' East Renfrewshire Council has been contacted for comment. All reactions: 77
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow housebuilder Briar Homes up for four awards
Briar Homes Limited Scotland was recognised for its Meadowood development in Garthamlock, which was shortlisted for the Housing Development of the Year (Small Private Sale), Show Home of the Year, Starter Home of the Year, and House of the Year for The Ash. Meadowood is a development of 22 three-bedroom homes, including detached, semi-detached, and terraced properties, in the suburb of Garthamlock. The development is situated near nature reserve paths and has easy connections to Glasgow. Meadowood showhome (Image: Supplied) The Ash, a three-bedroom semi-detached show home, was recognised for its nature-inspired design and family living space. Paul Kelly, managing director of AS Homes Scotland and Briar Homes, said: "It is a fantastic achievement for our Meadowood development to be shortlisted in four categories at this year's Scottish Home Awards. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment of our entire team in delivering high-quality, thoughtfully designed homes that meet the needs of modern families. "Meadowood reflects our dedication to creating sustainable, vibrant communities, and we're incredibly proud to see that effort acknowledged on a national stage." The Scottish Home Awards will be held on June 19 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow Central.
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
AS Homes fosters talent growth with internal promotion
Leading independent housebuilder, AS Homes, has continued to strengthen its senior team through the internal promotion of Ian McGarvey to Construction Manager where he will oversee operations of active sites. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The promotion follows Ian's seven-year tenure with the company, joining in 2018 as a Site Manager, rising through the ranks to Contracts Manager and now Construction Manager. Originally a qualified joiner, Ian transitioned into construction management in 2006, building a strong resume with leading companies including Redrow, Springfield, Bellway, and Barratt before joining AS Homes. His dedication and expertise have been evident in his work at AS Homes, notably leading the Woodlea development in Darnley to win the 'Highly Recommended' category at the 2022 Scottish Home Awards, celebrating excellence in Scottish home building. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In his new role as Construction Manager, Ian will be responsible for overseeing all active construction sites across Central Scotland, for both AS Homes and sister company Briar Homes. This currently includes seven developments spanning Armadale West Lothian, Newmains North Lanarkshire, and Greater Glasgow. As the business grows its portfolio to include new geographical areas, Ian will help drive continuity of service. On all sites, Ian will work closely with contract managers to ensure all aspects of site operations are effectively managed, including maintaining high health and safety standards and ensuring continued workforce training and development. Ian McGarvey Commenting on his promotion, Ian McGarvey, Construction Manager at AS Homes said: 'My passion lies in construction – I've always been hands-on and enjoy the process of bringing a project to life. What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to oversee a project from start to finish, providing input at every stage and seeing the full AS and Briar team work together to deliver much-needed, high-quality housing.' 'I'm really proud to have progressed within AS Homes, and this new role is a testament to that journey. While there is undoubtedly uncertainty across all industries at the moment, construction remains a solid, rewarding career path. With dedication and hard work, the opportunities for progression are absolutely there.' Rooted in Glasgow, AS Homes is a family-run housebuilder with a substantial portfolio of housing projects for Registered Social Landlords such as Sanctuary Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland and Home Scotland. The builder also operates Briar Homes, a private housing subsidiary that specialises in creating stylish, contemporary homes. Looking ahead to what the role has in store for him, Ian added: A key project I'm excited about is our Queen's Garage site on Pollokshaws Road in Glasgow. We are about to begin construction after an extended planning period. The whole team worked hard to move the development forward, and it is incredibly rewarding to see the transformation of this vacant land—formerly a petrol station and car garage—into much-needed new homes for the community.' Paul Kelly, Managing Director at AS Homes (Scotland) Ltd and Briar Homes Ltd said: 'We've been continually impressed by Ian's performance throughout his tenure with us, demonstrating a strong commitment to delivering high standards of production and a genuine passion for construction.
