Objectors fail to halt flats plan in grounds of Hamilton school

May 14 2008 By John Rowbotham

OBJECTORS this week failed to halt plans to build 111 flats in the grounds of a Hamilton school.

They had raised concerns about proposals by Barratt West Scotland for a development at John Ogilvie High.

Work is currently underway to build a £17.5m school alongside the existing secondary.

The new John Ogilvie is due to open in August.

Following its opening, the old school will be demolished and school and sports facilities built.

Barratt want to build four two- and four-storey blocks of flats on a red blaes pitch and grassland next to Udston Road.

Space for 227 cars is also included in the scheme.

South Lanarkshire Council own the ground and have declared it surplus to requirement.

They are in line for a substantial sum of money from the sale of the site if the scheme goes ahead.

At a council planning committee hearing on Tuesday, councillors heard the views of the developers and some of the objectors.

There were 29 pro forma letters of objection, and a representation submitted in January last year by the then head of John Ogilvie, Anne Marie Fagan.

Mrs Fagan was not against the principle of the development but was concerned that construction of the flats might start before the new school is finished.

She was also worried about noise from the building work and potential traffic problems.

Other objectors to the proposals complained that the flats were out of character with nearby properties and might lead to loss of daylight.

They were also concerned about the increased traffic on Udston Road and Farm Road.

Planners, who recommended approval, dismissed the complaints.

They said that the building of the new school and development of the flats would not go on at the same time.

They were also of the opinion that the flats “would not detract” from the semi-detached and terraced homes in Udston Road.

Roads officer Stuart Laird told councillors a transport assessment had shown that roads in the area had sufficient capacity to cope with the extra cars arising from the development.

He added: “In terms of the increase in traffic in Hamilton, the council are currently in the process of carrying out a traffic model for this area of Hamilton.

“Members will also be aware of the plans for Peacock Cross (Hamilton) that should alleviate some congestion on this part of the road network.”

The committee approved the plan on condition that the developer of the ground lodge with the council a £49,950 contribution towards provision of play facilities in the area.

A final decision on the application lies with Scottish Ministers.