Plans for 20 flats in Blantyre have been approved by South Lanarkshire Council despite objections from the deputy leader of the council.
Clyde Valley Housing Association are now set to build a U-shaped two-storey block of flats on vacant land at Church Street and Glasgow Road in Blantyre.
The brownfield site has been left undeveloped since the last buildings were removed in the 1960s.
Blantyre councillor Maureen Chalmers, deputy leader of the council, was one of 26 people to submit a letter of objection to the proposals.
Planning and building standards manager Bernard Darroch told the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, November 3, that objectors were concerned with a potential increased traffic, insufficient parking, a loss of privacy caused by overlooking and the loss of trees on the site.
However, the council’s roads department were happy with the proposals while officers concluded that the proposed layout wouldn’t have a “significant impact” on neighbouring properties.
Mr Darroch said: “It is recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions.”
Parking for 20 cars will be provided on site as well as bin and cycle storage facilities.
East Kilbride East councillor Graham Scott claimed Cllr Chalmers’ objection had been “buried” in the report, adding: “Surely, it has to be highlighted.”
However, head of planning and economic development Pauline Elliot said: “Councillors are entitled to comment as a private individual.”
As a result, Cllr Chalmers’ objection was not treated in the way that an objection from a councillor would normally be, and instead was listed with objections from other members of the public.
Cllr Scott said that the private individual and the councillor “are not different people” and that the council’s “actions should reflect that”.
Legal adviser Karen Moore said it was “very rare” for a councillor to chose to object as a private individual but that they are entitled to do so.
