Local Development Plan

Local Development Plan – Pre Main Issues Report Housing Land Supply

The following information will be distributed to residents in the form of a flyer.

A representative from the Association recently attended an Engagement Workshop regarding the above.  Work is currently at an advanced stage in researching the Main Issues Report, which will support the preparation of a new Local Development Plan (LDP) for the area.  The LDP will replace the current Local Plan 2 and should be adopted in 2016.  The plan will guide the future use of land, set out proposals for development and, crucially, will provide the framework for considering planning applications.

EDC have identified that there is an unmet need for affordable housing within the area.  The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan and EDC Local Housing Strategy have confirmed that there is a significant shortfall in the level of affordable housing and private housing.  Some people are confused about the term affordable housing; this would previously have been local authority housing.  However these developments tend to be run by housing associations such as Key Housing, Cube Housing etc. EDC build very little properties themselves for subsequent rental. It is unknown whether the housing associations have to provide housing for a certain percentage of local people to rent. The term private housing is self-explanatory.  However it is unclear whether any developer in the private housing sector would be obliged to build first time buyer and smaller private housing.

The Development and Enterprise Policy Team at EDC presented suitable sites which could possibly be used to meet the shortfall of housing.  There were many throughout Milngavie and Bearsden, some very suitable and some not so suitable in the opinions of those present at the workshop, and opinions were varied.  In addition, at the Milngavie presentation EDC officials did not provide details of other areas identified throughout East Dunbartonshire and it was felt this information should have been provided.  MERA understand this was made available to the Bishopbriggs and Lennoxtown workshops.

The sites nearest our Association area are Craigton Woods, the woodland just off Hunter Road going up the hill towards Cauldstream Place, and the fields to the right and left of Chestnut Lane. One of the fields borders properties in Cauldstream Place, Dalnair Place and Dumbrock Road. Slightly further out are Tambowie Farm, Langfaulds fields (this is opposite Windyhill Golf Course), and Clober Golf Course.  There are other sites throughout Milngavie and Bearsden. We have not listed them all but they are available on the EDC website. As far as MERA is aware many of these sites have special designations on them within the current Local Plan 2 e.g. Greenbelt, Heritage Site, Ancient Woodland, Area of Special Interest to Wildlife, Tree Preservation Orders etc.  In order for them to be considered for housing the designation would require to be changed in the new proposed Local Development Plan. A couple of points to note also are the road infrastructure and the forthcoming primary school estate consultation.

Further information can also be found on the EDC website.

The Association appreciates that some residents may wish more information and to log their own views with EDC and their local elected members. Contact details for the local councillors can be found on the EDC website.

To contact MERA, please see the MERA contacts page.