SPRING is coming!

The Green garden waste collection starts again on 16 March 2019. Therefore the dark grey bin and green bin can be put out for collection. 

Could we remind all residents that after emptying, all bins should be taken back into the boundary of your property and preferably stored neatly out of sight. 

The Association are receiving several complaints that bins are being left in Service Roads, especially in the Falloch Road area and in some of the cul-de-sacs on Castlemains Road. 

When bins are left lying out this causes a danger as pedestrians cannot pass, in service roads it is difficult for both vehicles, especially delivery vehicles, and pedestrians. In times of high winds they blow over. 

Please follow EDC guidelines and take your bins back into the boundary of your property.  This helps keep the estate looking good.

https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/recycling-waste/bins-and-recycling

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

If you, or your friends and neighbours, don't yet receive our newsfeed by email and would like to do so then please Register on our website mera-milngavie.co.uk on the ‘Events’ page.  If you wish to unsubscribe from automatic updates, the details are at the foot of the email.

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk  

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie 

#MainsEstate

245 People reached

63 Engagements

Local Development Plan Update

East Dunbartonshire Council has published an update on Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), due to be adopted in 2022.  You can download a copy of the newsletter using the following link.

http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/docs/LDP%20Newsletter%2050.pdf

Thank you to all of you that took part in the early engagement public consultation held by the Council from December 2018 to February 2019.  The Council has received over 800 submissions which will be processed over the coming months.  

The responses will be written up into a Report of Consultation which will be published later in 2019, together with a Monitoring Statement which will set out the evidence base for LDP2.  The Council is also expected to publish a Main Issue Report by the end of 2019.  The Main Issues Report will contain options for development and policy content and will provide the next opportunity for our community to provide comments to the Council.

Local Transport Strategy Update

Thank you to all of you who responded to the Local Transport Strategy Options Report.  The council received over 200 responses.  The Draft Local Transport Strategy will be published for a final public consultation later in 2019.  The main topics of interest raised with us were improvements to the junction of Castlemains Road/Hunter Road, improved rail infrastructure to Milngavie, development of the Allander Rail Halt and concerns over air quality due to transport pollution.  There was also some interest in development of off-road cycle routes in Milngavie, including MERA’s proposal to link Douglas Academy and Mearns Park to the Craigdhu Wedge and the Allander Sports Centre.

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

If you, or your friends and neighbours, don't yet receive our newsfeed by email and would like to do so then you can Register on our website mera-milngavie.co.uk on the ‘Events’ page.  If you wish to unsubscribe from automatic updates, the details are at the foot of the email.

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk 

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie

#MainsEstate

Help save the Mains Estate Greenbelt!

Deadline Monday 11^th February 2019

We write to remind you that you still have an opportunity to respond to the council’s two public consultations:

1.      Early Engagement Consultation on Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), and

2.      Transport Options

      https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council/consultations/transport-options-report-consultation

The deadline for both consultations is Monday 11th February 2019.  Please remember every adult in your household can respond and we would encourage you to do so.

You can read the existing Local Development Plan at https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP

How can I make my views known?

Send personal written responses by email to the council at development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk  Please entitle one email: Response to Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) Early Engagement and also one to Transport options Report 2018.  Or send your written responses by post to the Land Planning Policy Team, East Dunbartonshire Council, Southbank House, Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 1XQ.  Please remember to give your name and address.

Some key points from MERA for you to consider in your response to LDP2 -

·       We would like to retain the protected greenbelt designation for the woodland and productive farmland around the Mains Estate.  This land enhances the quality, character, landscape setting and identity of Milngavie and is also used for recreation.

·       The greenbelt between Milngavie and Bearsden should retain its protection. This land provides an important landscape function protecting the separation between communities and framing the settlements.  It also supports the farming economy of the city region and the local district, as well as providing fresh air and recreational opportunities.

·       Schools and medical facilities are at capacity.

·       Pollution limits are exceeded in Bearsden due to too much traffic.  Road traffic must not increase.

·       New development should be directed to brownfield sites and sites close to railway stations.

·       Please encourage the Council to release land from its own portfolio to build 100% affordable housing, including homes for first time buyers and those downsizing from larger properties.

·       Encourage the Council to consider development of the old St Joseph’s School site as a Health Hub.

·       Craigton Woods – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  It comprises ancient woodland and has several designations including: Local Nature Conservation Site with tree preservation orders, wildlife corridor and historic garden.

·       Land North of Old Mains Farm - We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This land is used for summer grazing; it is an important wildlife corridor together with historic garden and a flood plain, which is susceptible to flooding. 

·       Land North of Chestnut Lane - We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This is an important wildlife corridor and historic area.  It also has the Core Path walkway going through it, which is widely used by the public for recreation to support their health and wellbeing.

·       Land South of Old Mains Farm, South of Chestnut Lane, North of Craigdhu Road and South of Craigdhu Road - We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  The land is used for farming, has tree preservation orders and is an important wildlife corridor.  This landscape has significant wider landscape value.

·       Hunter Road – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This land has tree preservation orders and an important wildlife corridor; there are issues with access, and issues with traffic congestion and parking on Hunter Road.

·       Craigton Road (west of development site 6.5, LDP, 2017) – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This land is used as a golf course and part is susceptible to flooding.

·       Tambowie Farm – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This protected greenbelt site is used for farming and has significant landscape value, with wide open views to Mugdock Woods and the Campsie fells.  Part of this site is susceptible to flooding.

·       Balvie Farm – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This protected greenbelt site is used for farming and has significant landscape value, with wide open views to the Kilpatrick Hills Local Landscape Area, which is recognised as a Regional Scenic Area.

·       Balvie Bank – We would like this land to retain its protected greenbelt status.  This protected greenbelt site has tree preservation orders and is classified as a historic garden.

Some key points from MERA for you to consider in your response to Transport Options –

·       We need a modal shift from road transport to rail.  The railway line from Westerton to Milngavie should be returned to dual track to improve service reliability, efficiency and capacity.

·       The proposed new railway station at the Allander Sports Centre should be built with a generous park-and-ride facility.

·       The traffic congestion at the junction of Hunter Road and Castlemains Road needs to be addressed.

·       MERA has proposed an off-road cycle path from Douglas Academy to the Craigdhu ‘wedge’ on the west side of Hunter Road.

Please copy both of your email responses to Milngavie Community Council communitycouncilmilngavie@gmail.com and request that they also reflect your views to EDC. 

We would also be pleased if you would also like to send MERA a copy of your responses to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk

If you no longer wish to receive this blog please email secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk 

If so, it would be helpful to us if you would please put the word unsubscribe in the subject header.

Threat to Mains Estate Greenbelt

East Dunbartonshire Council has to produce a Local Development Plan every five years. Consultation for the next planning cycle has already begun (LDP2). The protected greenbelt around the Mains Estate is now under threat. Development of this land would also put further pressure on local roads, schools and healthcare. The four-stage review process is already in operation and will take 5 years to complete. Developers will be lobbying EDC to re-designate this protected greenbelt land for building in LDP2.

What YOU can do to protect the greenbelt and our facilities:

(Consultation Period ends on MONDAY FEBRUARY 11th 2019)

1. Make a special effort to attend the EDC CONSULTATION WORKSHOP – Milngavie Town Hall, Thursday 17th January 2019 from 6 – 8 pm; places must be booked in advance. To book a place – register by email at development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or telephone EDC on 0300 123 4510 and ask for Land Planning Policy Team.
2. Send a personal written response by email to the council at development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. Please entitle the email: 'Response to Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) Early Engagement'. 
3. Call in at the EDC Drop in Session at Bearsden Community Hub on Monday 21st January from 3 – 7 pm and make your views known. Confirm them in writing too. N.B. This session also includes the Local Transport Options Report Consultation (includes Bearsden and Milngavie)

We have also prepared a briefing newsletter to assist you which you can access on our Facebook Page 'MERA-milngavie'. 

You can also contact us at secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk 

Many thanks.

Changes to flight path affecting Mains Estate

PRESS RELEASE regarding Glasgow Airport Consultation ‘Modernising Our Flightpaths’ 2018

LOCAL resident group, Mains Estate Residents Association (MERA) from Milngavie has objected to a proposed new departure route from Glasgow Airport.

The route named ‘ROWLY’, would be routed directly over North Baljaffray and the Mains Estate, including the Douglas Academy Music School. The Music School run by East Dunbartoshire Council is a national Centre of Excellence for gifted young musicians from across Scotland. ‘ROWLY’ would also be routed closer to four primary schools (Castlehill, St. Andrew’s, Baljaffray and Clober) as well as Bearsden Academy.

Key safety margins would be reduced because aircraft would fly 280 feet closer to the ground than hitherto. According to MERA’s understanding, this appears contrary to the requirements of the Transport Act 2000 and the most recent Department of Transport, Air Navigation Guidance (2017).

Glasgow Airport proposes that ‘ROWLY’ would predominately be used between the hours of 06:00 and 10:00 for north-east departures. This would result in a +16dB (forty-fold) increase in time-averaged aircraft noise, during this time period over the Mains Estate. The impact of individual flights would be significantly greater than this. Due to the reduction in aircraft height this would cause a 43% to 36% greater adverse environmental impact on the ground in North Baljaffray and the Mains Estate, when compared to existing departure routes.

As a practical alternative solution, MERA proposes continued use of the current NORBO 05/ TURNBERRY 05 departure route for the 06:00 to 10:00 time window. According to Glasgow Airport’s own data this would also have positive environmental benefit, preventing an increase in fuel burn and CO2 emission by 14% by 2029.

Public Consultation on Glasgow Airspace ends - Friday 13th April 2018

Implications for the Mains Estate?

Glasgow Airport is currently consulting on proposed changes to its’ airspace. 

Please have your say.

Key briefing points:

• Nine departure routes in use from the 1960s will be rationalized to five new routes.

• Aircraft will turn closer to Glasgow Airport. One route will be routed over the top of 

the Mains Estate and Douglas Academy. The route is called ‘ROWLY’.

• ‘ROWLY’ will be used from 06:00 to 10:00 for takeoffs to the north-east.

• The north-east departure route is used on 22% of days.

• In total 26% of departures to the north-east will be routed over the Mains Estate.

• Glasgow Airport estimates up to +2dB increase in aircraft noise at the Mains Estate averaged over the day. That is about +16dB (forty-fold) increase in noise between 06:00 and 10:00, on days when departures are to the north-east.

• Aircraft will be flying 280 feet (14 %) closer to the ground over the Mains Estate, than the existing flight path over Main Street – reducing safety margins.

• Aircraft noise is estimated to be +36% louder than the existing flight path, over Main Street, due to the reduced aircraft height from the ground.

• +14% increase in fuel burn and CO2 emissions (‘ROWLY’ versus ‘TURNBERRY’ (TRN)).

• Arrival routes over Milngavie will not be affected.

• Glasgow Airport is seeking consultation responses by Friday 13th April 2018.

Nine existing departure routes ….. ….. to be replaced by five new routes.

 ‘ROWLY’ is routed over Mains Estate.

Full details from Glasgow Airport are available:

https://www.glasgowairport.com/airspace/airspace-consultation-document/

https://www.glasgowairport.com/airspace/maps-and-plans/

Please have your say by 13th April 2018. You should email your response to airspace@glasgowairport.com

making it clear that it is your response to the consultation. Every adult in each household is encouraged to respond. Glasgow Airport ask you to format the email subject header as follows:

• RESPONSE: SUPPORT – i.e. In favour; OR

• RESPONSE: NO COMMENT; OR

• RESPONSE: NO OBJECTION; OR

• RESPONSE: OBJECT – i.e. Not in favour. In the body of the email you are asked to give your reasons

 e.g. about ‘ROWLY’.