A couple of 'things'.

EDC is going to be undertaking work quite soon to repair/replace the broken drains which run under the path which was built a wee while ago through the Mains Estate Park . The path will be repaired at the same time. This work will get under way once the ground has dried out a bit.

The appeal which was lodged against EDC's decision to refuse planning permission for houses to be built in Craigton Woods has been dismissed by the Reporter.

MERA's committee members hope that you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Craigton Woods – CALA TP/ED/14/0673

Many of you asked to be kept up to date with Craigton Woods.

The Association would now advise that Cala have submitted a formal planning application. It can be viewed at
http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/system_pages/planning_applications/planning_application_search.aspx
and enter TP/ED/14/0673 in the search box.

The proposal comprises the construction of 24 detached houses and 10 affordable homes. The affordable houses take the form of 2 no. cottage flat blocks (8 homes) and 2 semi-detached homes. Associated works include tree felling, new tree and hedge planting, landscaping, roads, paths and drainage (including SUDS proposals).

If you wish to make any representation against this application, you should write or e-mail to the contacts detailed below.  The Association would recommend that you do this, as a matter of urgency, before the end of September as we understand that there is a planning meeting of East Dunbartonshire Council soon, although we have recently discovered that we may have until 9 October 2014.  Please quote TP/ED/14/0673 on all correspondence you send. Otherwise your comments may not be considered.

Contact Details:

Planning
Development and Enterprise
East Dunbartonshire Council
Broomhill Industrial Estate
Kilsyth Road
Kirkintilloch
G66 1QF

Tel: 0141 578 8600
Email: planning@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Some residents have asked for information on what they should include in their response and we have detailed below some of the main items to include, along with your own points. We would stress that there is not much time and you should get any comments you wish to make sent off. Your comments should include the following :-

Craigton Wood currently has the following designations in the existing Local Development Plan and I/We would request that these are maintained in the new proposed LDP.  The area is also included in the Local Biodiversity Plan for the area.

The designations are:-

Historic Garden and/or Designed Landscape
Important Wildlife Corridor
Local Nature Conservation Site
Existing Greenbelt
Area of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
Ancient Woodland

Overall this area is used and valued by the community and visitors to the area. Any development at all will change this.

Craigton Woods meeting

A meeting was held today by Cala regarding their proposed development of Craigton Woods.

Information about this meeting can be found on the website of the newly formed Craigton Woods Volunteer Group at http://www.craigtonwoods.com/

See also the EDC website

Those attending the meeting had the chance to complete a comments form. If you were unable to attend, or did not take a form and would still like to make comments, this can also be done via the Cala website at
http://www.cala.co.uk/craigtonroad
There is very little information on either the Cala or the EDC website and although information was made available at the meeting, no copies could be taken away. However, there is some information and a copy of the map of the proposed development on the CWVG website at
http://www.craigtonwoods.com/#!bastion/c1dka
The form on the Cala website does not include the questions on the comment form that was available at the meeting, and you may wish to bear these questions in mind when responding. They were as follows:

What are your impressions of the proposed development?
Which elements of the proposal do you like?
Which elements of the proposal would you like to see amended?
Do you think more family and affordable homes are required within the area to meet housing needs?
Do you have any other views on the layout design?
Do you think our consultation with you has been helpful?
Other comments

Please note that any comments must be submitted by 28th May

Craigton Woods response

Although it's now too late to submit comments to East Dunbartonshire Council, more submissions to us could still be useful in any future discussions on the future of Craigton Woods. So please keep them coming via the online form.

We would like to thank all those of you who have already contacted us. The response has been overwhelming!

Second Craigton Woods flyer

Many residents will have received a second flyer through their door recently. The Residents' Association would like to point out that this most recent flyer is from James Barr, representing the owners of Craigton Woods. This leaflet has not been issued or contributed to by Mains Estate Residents' Association. Residents should note that at the very bottom of this flyer the contact details are those of James Barr Ltd who are acting on behalf of the owners of the wood.

The Residents' Association would like to thank all those who have taken the time to contact us, and also those residents who are writing to the Council regarding the local plan

Craigton Woods in pictures

Craigton Wood contains some very large, mature trees including a Wellingtonia, which can be seen on the left.

Other tree species include Sycamore, Goat Willow, Yew, Scots Pine, Oak, Large-leaved Lime, Beech, Ash, Silver Birch, Larch, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Norway Spruce, Elder, Hawthorn, Hazel, and a variety of more ornamental species.

A number of different fern species can be found, particularly in the vicinity of the boundary wall. They include Wall Rue, Lady Fern, Male fern, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Broad Buckler Fern and Brittle Bladder Fern.

More pictures can be seen in the

Craigton Woods gallery

Craigton Woods potential development

The final draft of the East Dunbartonshire Local Plan 2 is now available for public comment.

It is important that residents realise there has been an approach from the owners of Craigton Woods to change the status of this area from an area of green belt and local conservation site with tree preservation orders and an important wildlife corridor and open space. Should the designation of this area change, this would then allow them to sell the land to developers, which would eventually lead to planning applications being submitted to build housing in this area.

This area is designated as an area of local interest and has an abundance of important trees and wildlife and many residents have indicated that they would like the status of the area maintained.


A map of what could be proposed in the area.

The areas surrounded in red are the areas which the owners of the wood indicated could be developed.

The location of the woods can be viewed on Streetmap

We would ask for your comments and ask that you make your feelings known by 23rd November (note changed date), by writing to:

The Planning Dept.
East Dunbartonshire Council
The Triangle
Kirkintilloch Road
Bishopbriggs
G64 2TR.

The letters must be individual, as a standard letter with a list of names in the form of a petition is only considered as one letter.

E-Mails can also be sent to: planning@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Contact can also be made through the interactive website: www.maps.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/edclp

Any other updates regarding our activities and our recent acquisition of funds to upgrade the park can be found on this blog and our website. You can also contact some of the committee by email. See details on the website - http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/

Residents, please complete the form on the flyer you will be receiving from us. The committee have put out this flyer without prejudice and will abide by any majority decision as a result of this consultation. You can also complete the form on the web (but please complete the form on the web or the flyer, not both)

Some facts to bring to your attention are as follows:
In 2003, when a previous proposal was made to develop the woods, Scottish Natural Heritage lodged an objection and revealed that the Craigton Wood was included in the inventory of Ancient and long established semi-natural woodland with a proven cover for at least 250Years. They said that woodland of such antiquity is scarce in the East Dunbartonshire area and forms a distinctive and important feature and as such represents a significant part of our cultural heritage locally.

Generally, the longer woodland has existed on a site the greater its natural heritage value. Look at the map. You can then visualise volume in relation to existing houses. The owners have presented this first draft. However they may be willing to enter discussions to amend this. In addition, there could be planning gain to be had for the area, for example funding for other projects, a community trust for the remaining woodland, etc.

WE NEED YOUR VIEWS ON THIS.
Please let us know them by using the form on the flyer or via the online form.

Any comments will also be noted.