THE Scottish Greens are backing a group of Bellshill residents who are challenging development plans that would place an industrial complex as close as two metres away from their homes.
Development plans for Bellshill’s Oval estate - that would see the building of two industrial warehouses, an HGV access road and an employee car park - have sparked serious concerns over noise and environmental impact.
Earlier this year, the developer's application was rejected by North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee but since then Clowes Developments have appealed the decision to the Scottish Government reporter.
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has continuously campaigned alongside the residents and has stressed that the original application was rejected for good reason.
She said: “It is clear that this is a development that neither the residents or North Lanarkshire Council think is suitable for the location.
“The council planning committee have already rejected the application on a number of key issues, from the noise impact on residential amenity to the damage to natural environment, removal of green space and much more.
“I hope that the Scottish Government reporter takes on board the valid concerns from those who live in the area and comes to the correct conclusion.”
Richard Kerr, a spokesperson for the residents, has warned that the plans will “ruin lives” and destroy the last undeveloped part of grounds that are home to abundant wildlife.
He said: “Local residents are devastated that Clowes Developments decided to appeal the decision to refuse planning permission. Despite widespread grave concerns about the massive detrimental impact these proposals will have on local residents.
“This development will ruin the lives of local residents and destroy the last undeveloped part of the old Bellshill Maternity Hospital grounds, which is home to many wildlife species. Planning regulations are supposed to protect local residents from this type of inappropriate development so close to residents homes. We are all praying that the appeal is dismissed.”
Kerr has also accused Clowes Developments of “brazenly attempting to exploit weak noise planning rules” as well as “inappropriately comparing” road traffic background noise with the noise of an HGV access road.
He added: “We now face the dire prospect of experiencing HGV engine noise and piercing reverse tonal alarms from 7.00am to 11.00pm, 7 days a week, literally on our doorstep.”
Clowes Developments has been contacted for comment.
