Plan to build homes on green belt land recommended for refusal

A controversial plan to build homes on green belt land in Barrhead has been recommended for refusal.

Ramzan Properties has asked East Renfrewshire Council for permission in principle to develop land to the north east of Dubbs Road.

The application claims the scheme would provide “high quality” private housing on a site opposite Cowan Park but it has sparked over 30 objections, mainly from residents of nearby Montfort Gate and Montfort Park.

Their concerns include the impact on the green belt and local wildlife as well as the proposed loss of trees. Now, planners at the council have recommended the application is rejected when councillors meet next week.

In a report to the planning committee, they state the proposal would “result in the loss of part of the green belt… and part of Dams to Darnley Country Park”.

They add the “extent of the removal of trees and associated habitat in order to accommodate the proposal is also of concern”, and there are “no overriding reasons… as to why this speculative development proposal should be granted as a departure” from the council’s local development plan.

The developers have proposed providing access to the site from Montfort Gate, with a private road leading to each house. Plans submitted on behalf of Ramzan Properties state the firm would provide five “high quality” detached villas, with four or five bedrooms.

They claim: “This development promotes ‘town-centre living’ by providing five detached villas for families located minutes away from essential local amenities, education centres and urban greenspace.

“The potential redevelopment of the site for residential purposes is of a scale and nature that will positively contribute to healthy growth within Barrhead.”

However, the council received 34 objections from residents, with neighbours also worried about the loss of public access and views from their properties as well as increased traffic in the area.

One objector said: “This area of woodland is enjoyed by many folk who are currently able to walk through unhindered and benefit from such a pleasant peaceful environment.”

Another resident added: “The impact of this will have profound adverse effects upon the local environment.”

In the report to councillors, planners add: “It is considered that the trees/woodland on site contribute to the setting of Montfort Gate and are a landscape feature at this green belt location and this part of the Green Dams to Darnley Country Park.”

They state the removal of four trees listed in a tree survey report are “acceptable based on their conditions”, but it “should be noted the submitted site layout plan indicates the removal of many more trees than are recommended in the survey report”.

“It is clear the tree removal is to accommodate the proposed development rather than the trees being accommodated within the development. Although re-planting is indicated by the applicant it is not considered that this compensates for the number of trees that are indicated to be removed.”

East Renfrewshire’s planning committee will consider the application on Wednesday, April 22.