Row over plans for more homes in Polmont

The latest changes made to the local development plan – known as LDP2 – were made by an independent reporter for the Scottish Government, who decided more house building was needed in the area.

Councillors were told they could not reject the reporter’s decision – leaving many frustrated and angry.

Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “We are disappointed that the reporter did not accept the lower number for housing that we sought to put in our plan, which had very carefully thought out.

“We are now in a difficult position where we have a higher number for housing and the Reporter has identified a number of sites for us to meet that target, some of which are controversial.

“However, the LDP is a strategic plan and it is needed for the council to more forward particularly around economic recovery.

“What we need to do now is look to manage those controversial sites through a massive planning exercise to enable communities to be involved and to provide safeguards as we go forward.”

One of the most controversial aspects was giving the green light to 500 new houses in Polmont’s Gilston area.

Local Conservative councillor Malcolm Nicol, who has opposed the development at Gilston for more than 20 years, was dismayed at the news.

He said: “It is a sad day for local democracy with the views of local people and their elected representatives being completely ignored by the reporter by giving the go ahead for 500 houses.

“Over the years, thousands of people have signed petitions against development because of the added pressure that so many houses would put on local schools, parking at Polmont station, the health centre and the local road network.”

He was particularly concerned that the reporter had recommended an access onto Gilston Crescent, which he believes people will use as a shortcut to Polmont station.

Councillor Nicol said: “Time after time councillors have rejected proposals and we are now being over ruled by an unelected bureaucrat – it is a slap in the face for local democracy and local residents.”

Labour group leader, Robert Bissett, was also unhappy that local decision-making powers had been taken away and councillors were being presented with “a done deal”.

He said: “There is no doubt that local decision making and local democracy is being undermined.

“Communities can have protests/public meetings against a development and if the council decide not to grant planning permission one man in Edinburgh (the reporter) can overturn the wishes of the local people and the local council.

“I have asked that  a cross party working group be set up next year for LDP3 so that elected members are closer to the plan and if we need to challenge the reporter then we will.”

The new Conservative group leader, James Kerr, said there were lots of positives in the new plan but he too was unhappy that the reporter’s decisions cannot be challenged.

He said: “I feel for the residents of our district, many who have fought against some of these recommendations. 
Democracy has lost this time.”

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