Coatbridge residents battling against a proposal to build houses on a “highly valued” area of open space have gained the backing of a Central Scotland MSP.
Green representative Gillian Mackay has written to North Lanarkshire Council to lodge an official objection to the proposal for eight detached properties on land beside Davaar Drive in Drumpellier, east of the area’s golf course.
The application, which is due to go before members of the authority’s planning committee next month, has attracted nearly 120 online objections from neighbours and local residents.
Opponents including campaigners from the Drumpellier residents’ action group say that the green space is well used by the community for dog walking, children’s play and enjoying wildlife.
However, application documents submitted on behalf of prospective developers Drumpellier Homes state that the site “is private ground and does not form an open space to aid the amenity of the existing residential area”.
Ms Mackay, who became the region’s first Green MSP in May, submitted her objection to the proposal after visiting the site and meeting with “a large group of residents”.
She told Lanarkshire Live: “Since my election, my inbox has been flooded with emails from constituents in or around Davaar Drive.
“There are very valid concerns with access to the site coupled with the loss of amenity – and that’s before we take into account the enormous detrimental effects to wildlife, increased traffic and association safety concerns.”
She added: “I hope that when making their decision, the planning committee fully take into account the concerns of the local community – this land is extremely precious to them.
“It’s an area that has shaped many lifelong friendships, that is treasured by dog walkers and that is utilised by many children for recreational purposes.”
A planning statement submitted as part of the application states: “The site is privately maintained and cannot be viewed as a public or community asset; it is private ground, not provided for recreation and may be developed for an appropriate use.”
Councillors will decide on the application when a report on the proposed development goes before a future meeting of North Lanarkshire’s planning committee.
