Plans for 29 flats in Barrhead attract 43 objections

Wilson Developments, who submitted the application, have confirmed they are bringing forward the proposals in partnership with Barrhead Housing.

The move the company says will deliver “much-needed affordable homes” and regenerate a long-underused site while also providing managed green space and investment into the local community.

The properties are planned for land at the southern end of Springhill Road, adjacent to the Miller Homes estate Springhill Meadows.

The vacant Springhill House is located within the southern portion of the site, which consists largely of overgrown foliage with mature trees to the north, west and south.

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The application, which includes plans for 30 allocated parking spaces and four visitor spaces, however, has prompted concerns about inadequate parking and road safety.

One of those who submitted an objection said: “The proposal allocates only one parking space per flat, despite the likelihood that many households will have two vehicles.

“This will inevitably result in overspill parking into surrounding streets, worsening congestion, reducing road safety, and placing further pressure on an already busy area including a very dangerous bend.”

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Concerns have also been highlighted over the potential environmental impact of the development.

One of those objecting stated: “The development would result in the loss of existing habitat and would negatively impact local wildlife, which is currently home to bats, owls and other birds.”

Furthermore fears have been raised over the development’s scale, its impact on residential amenity, and the pressure it would put on local infrastructure.

In an objection, a resident claimed: “The proposed four-storey block of flats is significantly out of character with the surrounding residential area, which is made up of lower-rise homes with consistent scale and spacing.”

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Another added: “The height and positioning of the four-storey block will lead to a substantial loss of privacy for existing residents through direct overlooking.

“Furthermore, it will cause unacceptable overshadowing and loss of natural light to neighbouring properties.”

While a third said: “There isn’t any consideration given for the development of the surrounding facilities to cope with the influx of about 100 plus people. Schools, parking, kids playground, bus network etc.”

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A planning statement submitted with the application, however, said: “The initial design intent has been to respond to the context in a way that will not drastically alter the pre-existing conditions, but rather work with them, to nestle the proposal into the site.

“The proximity of the neighbouring development has been a consideration from the outset of the design development and has informed our approach to the site.”

The proposed flats would include one building of one and two-bedroom apartments and three cottage flats consisting of one, two and three-bedroom dwellings.

The application, which is currently awaiting decision, was received and validated by East Renfrewshire Council on Monday, December 29.

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Wilson Developments also put forward a proposal in July which showed plans to build 13 three and four-bedroom houses on the site.

This proposal received no representations during the neighbour consultation period and, while still awaiting decision, has been recommended for approval by planners subject to conditions.

Wilson Developments have said that while the site currently has a recommendation for approval for “a private, for-sale housing development”, that the “revised proposals” for the flats have been brought forward to “respond directly” to East Renfrewshire’s “acute shortage of social and affordable housing”.

Those behind the proposals say they are fully committed to working constructively with East Renfrewshire Council and other stakeholders to ensure objections are fully considered and, where possible, addressed through the planning process.

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Scott Stewart, Barrhead Housing’s director of assets and development, said: “This proposed development is part of our efforts to address the housing emergency in East Renfrewshire.

 “It would deliver urgently needed affordable homes that are high quality, energy efficient and highly adaptable.”

“We are working with Wilson Developments, the council and the local community to address concerns and objections raised through the planning process.”