Housing plans for former Hamilton waterworks site approved

Feb 17 2011 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANS to build 25 houses on the site of a former Hamilton waterworks were this week given the green light.

Paterson Partners’ proposals for the Strathaven Road site, which has been lying vacant for years, were approved by South Lanarkshire’s planning committee on Tuesday.

The scheme on land between Eddlewood and Limekilnburn comprises detached and semi-detached properties with car parking and amenity space.

An earlier detailed planning application for nine units on the site, submitted in 2005, had been refused because they were contrary to both Hamilton and South Lanarkshire Local Plan policies.

The following year an outline planning application for nine units was submitted, and the authority made no decision on the application. An appeal against the refusal and non-determination of the applications was dismissed by Scottish Ministers in 2007.

Council planning chief Colin McDowall pointed out in a document prepared for councillors that Paterson Partners did not form part of a consortium developing the neighbouring Hamilton Community Growth Area (HCGA) for “operational reasons”.

He told councillors: “I am satisfied that the proposals, as amended, take account of wider visions that the council has in respect of the HCGA and through its revised layout retains the ability to integrate well with the future development of the land surrounding the site, which forms part of the wider scheme.

“Furthermore, the applicants are willing to enter into a legal agreement to ensure that they make a financial contribution towards the provision of infrastructure and facilities required as part of the Community Growth Area and in accordance with the Masterplan Development Framework.

“These include such items as education provision, affordable housing, off-site roadworks, community facilities, infrastructure costs and so on which will be progressed through the wider proposals.”

Mr McDowall also pointed out that both the Structure Plan and Local Plan “supported the principle of the development”.

The new homes will be situated behind the site’s existing substantial wall at the frontage.

The planning committee approved the application subject to a ‘section 75’ agreement whose terms included “an equitable financial contribution” in relation to infrastructure and other costs associated with the HCGA.