Ministers decide new homes' fate on outskirts of Carluke

May 2 2008 By George Topp

THE Scottish Government will have the final say over the future of plans for a major new housing estate on the northern outskirts of Carluke.

Martisan Developments want to build on the Airdrie Road site, which comprises farmland, a former petrol station and a disused railway line.

Their application was due to have been considered by councillors recently.

But the meeting of South Lanarkshire's planning committee heard the applicants had pre-empted councillors taking a decision.

The applicants have now lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government, which meant a decision had been taken out of the hands of councillors.

However, the planning committee meeting did go ahead and consider the application anyway.

South Lanarkshire Council's planning committee heard the proposed access would be via the former filling station.

The applicants said there was a need for 500 new houses in the Carluke area.

A significant part of the site was already zoned for housing, with the most prominent part being brownfield.

Planning officials also reminded the committee that planning permission for a retail foodstore on part of the site had been rejected last August.

Council roads officials objected to the housing plan, claiming the roundabout proposed for access was substandard and no details of upgrading had been submitted.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency also objected, expresing fears there might be a flood risk since two watercourses go through the site.

Seven letters of objection were also received by the council from local residents.

These raised fears about extra traffic in the area.

It was also claimed there was no need for more housing and infrastructure in the town was already struggling to cope with existing developments.

The council's executive director of enterprise resources, Iain Urquhart, said the council's roads officials had raised concerns about the access arrangements.

A transport assessment had been requested from the applicants, but it had not been lodged, and a drawing showing the proposed new access contained too little detail to be properly considered.

The applicants have also failed to provide enough information regarding a flood risk assessment.

He added that the proposal was contrary to the council's structure plan and also local plan policy and a justification for allowing housing on this site had not been provided.

He went on to recommend refusing the application, a recommendation which councillors endorsed.