Plans approved for 324 homes at former army barracks

Plans for a major 324-home residential development at the former Winston Barracks in Lanark have been approved by South Lanarkshire Council.

Two separate planning applications from developers Abbey Developments and Miller Homes were considered by the council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday, both proposals receiving approval subject to conditions and legal agreements.

The developments will see 117 homes delivered by Abbey Developments and a further 207 homes by Miller Homes, creating a combined 324-home neighbourhood on the vacant former military site.

Councillor Ross Clark (Larkhall) questioned why both applications were presented separately, abd said: “Can we just get an explanation as to why these two applications are being taken separately and have we assessed the cumulative impact of both of them?”

Head of Planning and Regulatory Services at South Lanarkshire Council, Fraser Carlin, explained that they are two separate applications as it is two separate developers proposing different plans for the same area.

The plans include a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties, ranging from two to five bedrooms.

Miller Homes’ proposal includes 30 affordable homes, while Abbey Developments will make a financial contribution towards nursery and primary school provision.

Councillor Alex Allison (Clydesdale East) questioned if there were any other developer contributions.

He said: “Legal agreement is restricted to education and social housing, with a development this size is there not a requirement for community facilities, like a play park to be part of it as well, should that not be part of the legal agreement?”

Mr Carlin stated that there was no need for such community contributions as nothing was identified during the consultation process and that there are separate projects coming forward in that area.

The proposals are designed to operate as a single, connected neighbourhood, with links between the two developments allowing residents to access shared routes and facilities.

Plans include extensive landscaping and open space, village greens and play areas, as well as pedestrian and cycle links connecting into the surrounding area. The developments will also provide connections towards Lanark Racecourse, Lanark Moor Country Park and the existing path network.

The homes will be accessed through Robertson Drive, with new connections to the A73 and A70.

Both applications were recommended for approval despite being classed as departures from the current development plan.

Planning officers said the former barracks site had previously been granted permission for 327 homes in 2007, with that permission still extant. The previous approval, along with the site’s identification as a windfall housing site in the South Lanarkshire Housing Land Audit, was considered a significant material consideration.

Officers also said beginning to get the vacant former military land back into use would help meet housing demand in the Lanark area while providing environmental and amenity improvements.

The developments will incorporate sustainable drainage systems, new tree and woodland planting, biodiversity measures and play facilities.

Both applications were subject to consultations with agencies including Scottish Water, Roads, Transportation and Fleet Services and Environmental Services, with no objections raised subject to conditions.

The approvals are also subject to legal agreements being completed, including arrangements for affordable housing and education contributions.