Thursday, 7 February 2019




Help save the Mains Estate Greenbelt!

Deadline Monday 11th 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


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 WoodsWe 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 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.



Friday, 11 January 2019

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.


Saturday, 7 April 2018

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:
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’.

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Changes to Waste Collection over the Easter Weekend

East Dunbartonshire residents are being advised of slight changes to their recycling, food and garden waste collection services on Good Friday (14 April) and Easter Monday (17 April).

All general waste collections will operate as normal, however, residents who receive a collection of recycling, food or green waste on a Friday or Monday will experience a delay in service, with collections taking place a day or two later than usual.  All Saturday and Sunday collections will remain unchanged. 

If your recycling, food or green waste bin is normally collected on a Friday, it will now be done on Saturday or Sunday. If it’s normally on a Monday, we will collect it on Tuesday or Wednesday. Householders should present their bins for collection as usual and leave them kerbside until they are uplifted.

Jim Goodall
13.04.17

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is proposing to reshape the delivery of rehabilitation services for older people in North East Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire. The consultation relates to the provision of rehabilitation services for older people in North and East Glasgow and Lightburn Hospital. 

If you would like to receive further information on the proposal or the consultation process please email Public.Involvement@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 9987 (Freephone). 


This information was provided by Councillor Manjinder Shergill and is being forwarded by MERA.