New Barrhead housing development given the go ahead

Planning chiefs at East Renfrewshire Council unanimously approved an application for 84 houses on a currently disused site at the junction of Blackbyres Road and Grahamston Road.

Bellway Homes Ltd, which is behind the scheme, is also in the process of converting neighbouring land into 96 homes.

The decision to approve the latest development, which received no objections, was made at a meeting of the council’s planning committee last Wednesday.

Council officers recommended the plan for approval, stating in a report: “It is acknowledged that the proposed development is a departure from the development plan, being land not solely identified for residential development.

“Having considered the proposal against Scottish Planning Policy and the relevant policies of the development plan, it accords with some and not with others.

“The proposal however involves the re-development of what is considered to be an urban brownfield site.

“It has been disused for a number of decades and in its current condition it has little amenity value.”

It “does not result in the development of a greenfield site or a site outwith the existing urban boundary” and it “is considered that this is an acceptable development at this location”.

The scheme will be consist of two, three and four bedroom homes, with a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced housing.

Visitor parking, for up to 35 cars, will also be included, with access to the houses coming from Blackbyres Road and Bellway Homes Ltd’s other residential development.

The planning report also states ten affordable homes will be included in the development, with the applicant agreeing to pay a “sum for the remaining eleven unit requirement”.

“The applicant has agreed to the payment of a development contribution towards education; community facilities; parks and open space; green network and access; and roads and transportation.”