North Lanarkshire Council approves application for 401 new homes near Wishaw

Councillors have approved a planning application to build 401 new homes near Wishaw.

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning board awarded planning permission, subject to conditions, to Holder Planning for the development of 401 homes at Wemysshill Farm, Overtown, about one kilometre south of Wishaw town centre.

Permission to develop on the site had twice been awarded previously in 2018 and 2021.

This latest approval comes with a list of 22 conditions, many of which are to protect local amenities and minimise the ecological impact of the development, which is one of three major housebuilding applications involving this site, which is currently abandoned farmland.

The variety of housing detailed in the application is 60 two-bedroomed houses, 77 more two-bedroomed houses with an additional study, 107 three-bedroomed houses and 157 with four bedrooms, along with parking spaces, landscaping, play areas and a park.

Existing farm buildings, which have fallen into disrepair and been vandalised, would be demolished.

The council received a total of 13 objections to the proposal and one expression of support.

Objectors included Overtown and Waterloo Community Council and Overtown Brighter Village Association.

All concerns raised by objectors have been addressed through various means from updates to policy to developer contributions or conditions imposed on the development.

Planning officers recommended conditionally granting the application on the basis that it would help address housing needs and a shortage of homes in the council area, as well as enhancing pedestrian links and contributing to biodiversity.

The planning committee unanimously agreed with this recommendation.