Blunder over new Uddingston Grammar planning amendments

Jul 31 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

OFFICIALS were left red-faced this week after more than 50 neighbours were notified - in error - about changes to the plans for the new Uddingston Grammar building.

Residents in the Old Glasgow Road, Meadowbank Lane and Strathclyde Path areas were informed of an amendment to the original planning application.

They were also told that a new public library would be part of the £18.1m school scheme.

However, South Lanarkshire Council pointed out this week the notification had been sent out by mistake and there were no plans to amend the existing application, currently being considered by Scottish ministers, or to incorporate a new library into the development.

Amended plans for the school - originally given the go-ahead in 2006 - were approved by councillors in June.

It included alterations to flood protection measures and changes to the layout of sports pitches.

Residents beside the Meadowbank school site said they were stunned to learn that a public library was planned as part of the development.

"We were wondering what was going on. They have just opened a new library up on Bellshill Road," said Robert French of Generals Gate.

"This was the first time any mention of a public library had been made.

"But nothing surprises us any more. Throughout the planning process, the authority have said one thing only to change their mind later on."

Uddingston councillor Jim McGuigan said the blunder was further evidence of planning department ineffectiveness.

He added: "You wonder how something as simple as a neighbourhood notification could go wrong."

A council spokesman said this week the neighbourhood notification derived from a planning application which had wrongly been lodged by the authority's community resources division.

She added: "There are a number of school sites where planning applications are being lodged to alter the hours of operation, install floodlighting and carry out other alterations.

"However, the Uddingston Grammar School site should not have been the subject of one of these applications.

"The planning service has now written to all of the parties notified in connection with the application which was mistakenly lodged and confirmed that it has been withdrawn."

* Pupils had been expected to enter the new school building at the start of the new term in August. However, it emerged in June officials were looking at an October, or even a January, entry date to ensure a smooth transition.