More than 700 homes over two huge housing developments approved in Hamilton

Two major housing developments in Hamilton have been approved by South Lanarkshire councillors.

Last week, elected members approved plans to build two closeby developments west of Strathaven Road in the town as part of the community growth area.

The developments were proposed by Cala Homes and Barratt Homes and although both sites were dealt with separately, they are joined together.

The plans will see one site with 628 homes, including social housing, and the other with 153 houses.

Plans will also include road reconstructions with a new roundabout from Strathaven, and a crossing over the Cadzow Burn which will allow Strathaven Road and Meikle Earnock Road to be linked – which is a key component of the Hamilton Community Growth Area.

Councillor Helen Toner, Hamilton South, raised concerns about the huge development and the impact on surrounding residents.

She said: “The concern from the residents is the same as the development on the other side of Meikle Earnock Road, with the transport links, the roads and increased traffic.

“It is a bit concerning that the two sites are running back to back and in very close proximity, even though they are on opposite sides of the road. Again, no objection as such but just a concern that we are going to have the same issues arising here as we would have on the other side of the road.

“The other point I was going to raise is about the Cadzow Burn. I’ve had residents raise the concern that the Cadzow Burn has in recent years been getting bigger, there’s a lot more water flowing through it and there’s a lot more sewage issues and things like that.

“Overflow pipes from the main sewers are going into Cadzow Burn and this has been an issue and some of the residents have said it’s only happened since the work further up Meikle Earnock Road. So it’s a concern building over Cadzow Burn, I’m not opposed but I am concerned about the effect on the Cadzow Burn and the increase of traffic in the area.”

The council’s roads development management team have no objections to the development given conditions including a bus service strategy, parking and a traffic management plan is met.

The development with 628 homes will include 49 affordable units, and the house types will range from cottage flats, terraces, semi-detached and detached house types with a mix of three, four and five bedroom accommodation. Each home will have dedicated parking.

Statutory neighbour notification was undertaken for the development and it received 16 letters of representation, two letters of support and one letter of comment.

Concerns were raised around appropriate transport, medical facilities or school provisions however relevant transport links, education and other services will be included as key elements of the Hamilton Growth Area.

The development with 153 homes will include a range of semi-detached and detached house types which will provide a mix of three, four and five bedroom accommodation.

Council officers recommended the proposals due to it creating high quality housing developments on a vacant site.