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26th May 2004
The Reporter concluded that green belt must be released because there is no land allocated in Clydebank for building executive type housing with gardens. We believe that this is not at all true. We agree with the Council’s original position that “ the remaining undeveloped sites ... are capable of providing a range of house types and residential environments... other planning authorities in the area have promoted greenfield release”. Also there is clearly scope for expensive housing with gardens along the Riverside.
The Reporter concluded that this part of the green belt can be released because there has been no comprehensive assessment of the appropriateness and defensibility of green belt boundaries. We say at the Council should adopt the precautionary principle, and wait for a comprehensive assessment before considering giving up any green belt land to housing.
The Reporter was “satisfied that the site only plays a limited role in terms of the landscape setting of Hardgate/Clydebank ... there is limited visibility of the site, other than from the adjacent Cochno Road ... the site simply forms part of the urban fringe. “ We believe that the timing of his site visits would not have shown the Reporter that this part of Cochno Road is valued as part of a walking route for many. Cochno Road is used daily by large numbers of people walking, cycling and jogging. Fishermen and ramblers use it as a route to the Kilpatrick Hills. At present the eastern side of Cochno Road presents a largely rural aspect which would be completely ruined by the proposed development and would spoil the enjoyment of these people.
The Reporter said that site is bounded to the west and south by existing development, and is dwarfed by the overhead power lines to the north and the Faifley flats to the east. So why would anyone want to buy executive homes in such surroundings. Either the green belt here is being undervalued, or the housing need has been exaggerated.
The council considers that any development on the site would be prominent and significantly alter the appearance of the area, ... The Reporter considered that the developer’s master plans provide sufficient evidence that an acceptable development could be accommodated on this site,... We regard the indicative master plan as a promotional document, not a realistic plan for development control. The present housing density on the Western side of Cochno Road in the vicinity of the proposed development is of the order of 8 or 9 houses per hectare compared with the proposal to build 50 houses on 3 hectares which would obviously change the character of the neighbourhood in a deleterious manner.
Traffic in Cochno Road has escalated sharply over the past few years with many motorists ignoring the speed limit, and an extraordinary number of heavy vans and lorries hurtling to and fro with no regard for pedestrians. We are surprised that there has only been one fatal accident here in recent years to our knowledge. Fifty more houses of the type described would result in at least 100 extra cars together with large numbers of vans servicing these houses.