I have written to East Renfrewshire Council in response to the recent publication of their Main Issues Report.
You can read my letter below.
Dear Sirs
Main Issues Report // Local Development Plan
I welcome the consultation on the Main Issues Report which aims to build on the Local Development Plan adopted in 2015. Ahead of the consultation closing on 8 February 2017, I offer the following comments:
Strategic Development of Housing in East Renfrewshire
Further development of East Renfrewshire is unavoidable but it should be done with strategic thought to the impact such developments do have on infrastructure and the ability of the Council to provide the quality services – mainly schools – which draws people to reside in East Renfrewshire.
I remain concerned that recent developments have not necessarily focused enough on the unique difficulties in terms of planning material considerations which such developments can cause.
I note that there are two plans for the further development of East Renfrewshire, namely (2A) Consolidation and Regeneration and Controlled edge of settlement growth; or (2B) Consolidation and Regeneration. Both would meet the level of housing planned for East Renfrewshire. In light of this I would favour Option 2B as it recognises that new housing is required to satisfy Scottish Government house building targets, yet does not require the mitigation of 2A with its “landscape and visual impacts” which would have to be mitigated by “good placemaking, design and landscaping”.
Having been born and having largely lived my life in East Renfrewshire, I have seen the development of the various communities since the 1960s to the present, as a child, adult and parent. All of the communities in which I have lived, Clarkston, Newton Mearns, Crookfur, Giffnock and Waterfoot have substantially altered and expanded; some are no longer recognisable compared to those earlier times. Much of this is natural development. East Renfrewshire can no more pull up a drawbridge than anywhere else with no development now or in the future. However, as obvious opportunities diminish, more than ever before future development must be well thought through, be sympathetic to the traditions and natural pace of the community and deal with the negative pressures developments can have on infrastructure and the existing life of the community.
Town Centres
Three pages are dedicated to covering our town centres in the MIR but sadly there is not much text therein.
Town centres everywhere face challenges in continuing to develop, re-develop and remain competitive. To support our local businesses, it would be appropriate to take a rounded approach and recognise that while planning changes in East Renfrewshire – for example the redevelopment of Busby Road, Clarkston – shape our town centres there must be a recognition that other challenges will also be faced to support our town centres. In this respect I welcome the current focus on the Clarkston area in particular.
Education
There are no substantive proposals but simply “to continue to monitor the demand for education places”. This seems to be an understatement given that one of the substantive reasons many people move into East Renfrewshire is for housing.
For a number of years it has become clear that the current denominational provision for Catholic secondary education is proving unsustainable.
More housing stock will likely correlate with greater demand on local public schools – the questions therefore should be “Will the school infrastructure require further expansion to deal with more housing and what studies have been done on the potential impact on education of building a further 4,100 homes?”
Increasingly, the independent sector is becoming less affordable even for those who previously chose this alternative schooling for their children. This may lead to a further generational demand for local school provision.
Eaglesham and Waterfoot Development
I note the concern locally regarding the proposed development in the MIR, although I am aware that it may have been designed at the incorrect address. There also remains the possible application for Gladman Developments at Glasgow Road which is an open threat to our green spaces.
Newton Mearns Broom Park Development
I note with concern the proposed housing development in the green space next to the Broomburn Shops, Newton Mearns.
The green space is presently utilised by many residents as part of their enjoyment of our local area. There is a swing park to which many families take their young children and those same children grow up to enjoy it with their friends. In essence, the green space and the park which forms part of it, together, play an important part in the facilities Newton Mearns residents of all ages require. I believe these statements and opposition to this proposed development tie in with the Local Development Plan approved in 2015. It states at paragraph 2.2.3:
“East Renfrewshire is viewed as a desirable place to live within a high quality built and natural environment”.
One regularly expressed grievance of many, is the continued erosion of ‘green lung space’ within long established communities and the Broom Burn Park proposal is an obvious example of this.
It further states at 3.7.1
“Well planned and well designed green networks are a fundamental component of successful placemaking and help deliver better, more sustainable places [italics added]. The green network comprises a local network of natural, semi-natural and man-made greenspace, active travel and recreational routes, watercourses, woodland and other habitats. They can provide a wide range of benefits for the urban environment including opportunities for physical activity, biodiversity, walking, cycling, sustainable urban drainage systems, and carbon storage. They also provide an attractive backdrop for new development and encourage economic investment.”
This is emphasised in the National Planning Framework which notes at 4.4:
“Scotland’s landscapes are spectacular, contributing to our quality of life, our national identity and the visitor economy[…] Closer to settlements landscapes have an important role to play in sustaining local distinctiveness and cultural identity, and in supporting health and well-being.”
I am aware than a new Main Issues Report is presently out for consultation, which shall form the basis for a fresh Local Development plan but I remain unconvinced that these principles should change. Such developments, if approved, fundamentally alter the community. As a material consideration in the planning process the precedent of allowing this application is clear. To develop on the Broom Burn Park would make it harder for East Renfrewshire Council to raise concerns or deny planning permission for developers in other parks and key green spaces across Eastwood. It is also not clear what strategic analysis has been done as to the impact allowing this proposed development would have on infrastructure locally. East Renfrewshire Council’s infrastructure, especially local roads are in deterioration and the increased traffic of further residents can only worsen this situation.
I trust that the foregoing will be borne in mind when considering this proposed development.
Yours faithfully
Jackson Carlaw MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Eastwood