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Daily Record
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Biggar residents raise road safety fears over new housing development plans
They are worried that it will lead to more speeding traffic on Carwood Road. Residents have raised road safety fears over plans for a new housing development in Biggar. They are worried that it will lead to more speeding traffic on Carwood Road. Developers are seeking outline planning permission for 22 homes at Loaningdale Paddock on the outskirts of the town. A supporting statement lodged with South Lanarkshire Council said: "The proposed site presents an ideal opportunity to provide high quality homes in a fine rural setting. "The layout should contribute positively to the character of Biggar." But one Carwood Road resident said drivers ignoring the speed limit are already posing a danger. In a written submission to the council, he warned: "Modifications proposed to the B7016 at this site will only encourage further rapid acceleration, especially by motorcyclists who regard this road as a speed test to Carnwath. "The erection of 22 properties with no traffic calming measures included is, in my view, a serious and potentially life-threatening issue." A similar planning application for Loaningdale was withdrawn last year after council officials recommended refusal. They said the site was part of the Green Network and the applicant hadn't come up with a safe access for vehicles. Another resident said: "Nothing in the new application appears to address concerns." Another man who lives in Carwood Road said speeding in the 30 miles an hour area is of "great concern" to residents. He claimed a flashing speed sign near the cemetery shows drivers approaching at between 45 and 65mph. Plans to level the rise in the road in conjunction with the housebuilding "might even encourage faster speeds". The resident wrote: "This entrance to Biggar requires a more sophisticated approach to traffic calming such as chicanes, islands, speed bumps and countdown signs." But the developers insist their design for the proposed access to Carwood Road has been deemed "acceptable in principle" by council roads officials. A decision on the planning application is expected later this year. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Controversial plan to build new homes on greenbelt land near Airdrie kicked out by councillors
The massive Orchard Brae development, which proposed to build almost 1000 new homes on the Europark site, adjacent to Eurocentral, went before councillors on Thursday. A controversial plan to build hundreds of new homes on greenbelt land near Airdrie has been kicked out by North Lanarkshre councillors. The massive Orchard Brae development, which proposed to build almost 1000 new homes on the Europark site, adjacent to Eurocentral, went before councillors on Thursday. North Lanarkshire Council planners advised the 244 hectare plan should be rejected, with councillors voting to knock back the application with 42 against and 18 supporters backing it. Nine councillors withdrew after declaring a possible conflict of interest. The council report stated: 'It is acknowledged that the proposal has some benefits, but the need for additional housing land and the justification provided for the employment land are not accepted, and it is considered that the employment and economic benefits are likely to be substantially less than the applicant estimates. 'The benefits of the proposal are therefore not considered to be sufficient to justify such a significant departure from the development plan, and for this reason it is recommended that planning permission in principle should be refused. 'The proposal is contrary to National Planning Framework and to North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Policies as the development would result in detrimental impacts upon a valuable area of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network. 'The development as a whole is inconsistent with the wider policies of the development plan and therefore its adverse impacts on the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network cannot be justified. 'It is not considered that any adequate justification, special circumstances or material considerations have been demonstrated which would justify a departure from these policies.' Opponents - including the Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig Conservation Group - believed the plans would destroy a historic area of greenbelt, damage wildlife and deprive residents of valuable outdoor space. At the meeting, objector Dr Ann Glen called on councillors to reject the plans. She said: 'Nature's condition reflects our values. Our mission should to be to foster a world where communities can flourish in harmony with nature. Not by destroying it, as the destruction of this greenbelt would imply. 'Nor should we be allowing it to be destroyed for speculative gain. That is completely unacceptable.' Politicians from all sides of the political spectrum spoke of their delight at the news. Central Scotland Labour MSP Richard Leonard said: 'When I first stood for Parliament in 2016 this was a rising issue. Almost a decade of campaigning led by local people has paid off. 'It has been a long hard 10 years but this is a victory for democracy and the people. We remain vigilant and ready to keep the campaign going for as long as it takes.' Airdrie South Progressive Change councillor Paul DiMascio said: 'Local democracy won through and the strength of feeling against building on the green belt had been made clear. Crucially, approval would have been a clear breach of national and local guidelines. 'Should Orchard Brae appeal to the Scottish Reporter it is imperative that they both know the strength of feeling which was apparent against this proposal and take full account of North Lanarkshire's position which was made clear and ensure that this development does not get the nod down the line on appeal, via the back door. Conservative MSP Graham Simpson added: 'It's fantastic news that the massive Woodhall and Faskine development has been rejected. 'It's been my pleasure and honour to work alongside everyone in opposing these plans.' Scott Gillespie, director for Orchard Brae, said the group were disappointed by the decision made by North Lanarkshire Council. He continued: "When officers published their report recommending refusal, despite a decade of discussions and the changes they asked us to implement in 2024 being made, it was clear that we faced an uphill task. 'I want to thank the 18 elected members who supported our proposals alongside our local partners who joined us at the hearing. Their support is very much appreciated. 'We remain fully committed to our vision for this landmark mixed-use development, which we firmly believe would deliver significant benefits to the local community and beyond including more than 2000 jobs. 'It is apparent at the hearing that these benefits cannot be readily delivered elsewhere in North Lanarkshire, so there is a threat that they may now be lost. 'We have taken on board feedback from the council and local stakeholders and shaped our plans accordingly, including a vibrant economic hub, much-needed housing, a medical centre, a state-of-the-art football facility, a new primary school, additional investment in surrounding secondary schools, and, notably, a nationally-recognised country park covering 64 per cent of the site. 'This proposal was never a choice between development and greenspace. It offered the best of both, delivering jobs, training opportunities, and high-quality, sustainable homes within an enhanced natural environment. 'Many within the local community have shown strong support for this balanced and forward-thinking approach. It is unfortunate that this was not reflected in today's decision. 'We will now carefully consider our next steps and how best to move forward with our proposals and long-term vision for the area.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
