Latest news with #OrchardBrae
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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.
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Company behind proposed mixed-use EuroPark development in North Lanarkshire create community steering group
As part of the plans, which are currently under consideration by North Lanarkshire Council, around 64 per cent of the site outlined would remain as greenspace. The company behind the proposed mixed-use EuroPark development adjacent to Eurocentral in North Lanarkshire have created a community steering group. As part of the plans, which are currently under consideration by North Lanarkshire Council, around 64 per cent of the site outlined would remain as greenspace, which developers Orchard Brae, say will "protect and enhance the Calder Water and historic Monkland Canal, alongside the walkways and woodlands that sit there". Orchard Brae are also proposing that the area becomes "a designated country park" and for it to eventually fall under community ownership once the infrastructure is in place to support it. Scott Gillespie from Orchard Brae said: 'We have been working on bringing EuroPark to fruition for nearly 10 years and as part of the extensive consultations that have been undertaken with the community and key stakeholders - in many different guises - what is clear, is the need to firm up our pledge on the creation of the country park and protecting the many natural assets this site has as part of our plans. "When we say the development is green at heart, we truly mean it, in its most literal sense. "The creation of the local steering group firms up our commitment to sticking by our pledge and work towards the longer-term ambition of gifting this over to the community. "What's more, should planning progress, we would fully expect this to be part of the Section 75 conditions put forward and agreed. "We also don't anticipate the community having to wait five years until the infrastructure supported by the homes and businesses comes into play. "We are willing provide £120,000 per year, over the next five years, to support this plan being put into action. "Our local steering group is made up of people from Gartcairn Football Club, Airdrie Working Men's Club, a local community council and Calderbank Bowling Club. "Invitations were issued to the wider community, and we would welcome more people joining this as we look to move forward.' Derek Dillon, Calderbank Bowling Club secretary and a member of the new local community steering group, added: 'This site gives us the investment, homes and jobs we need and we can ring fence and protect the best natural assets of the site, create a country and heritage park and bring it under the ownership of the local community. "I don't believe there is another major proposal out there at the moment that offers local people the valuable mix of opportunities that Orchard Brae is putting forward. 'North Lanakrshire, specifically Coatbridge and Airdrie and their surrounding villages, are rich in heritage, but certainly need new, high-quality homes of all tenures. "It needs more local employment opportunities and investment. "I am delighted to be on the local steering group for the new country park and very much hope we will be able, as a wider community, to reap the many benefits these plans could bring.' For more information on the EuroPark plans, head online. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
