Land News

Fury as homes on greenbelt get go-ahead

EveningTimes.co.uk, 27th August, 2004

A row broke out today after councillors in Glasgow signed a deal to build upmarket houses on greenbelt land.

The housebuilding firm of tycoon Stewart Milne has been given the go-ahead to use greenbelt land on Glasgow's south side for more than 330 new luxury houses that will sell for up to £250,000.

The Parkhouse development is one of six house building developments on greenfield sites across the city. Other sites include prime land in Robroyston and Deaconsbank.

The go-ahead comes 17 months after the Evening Times revealed that the city council was prepared to release greenfield sites for house building projects in areas including Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Summerston.

Around 1500 luxury homes are to be build by the Stewart Milne Group - Scotland's largest house builder - as councillors attempt to keep wealthy families in Glasgow after it was found many were moving to the city's suburbs.

Officials drew up a list of available land which could be used for new family homes, including a limited number of greenfield areas.

The Parkland development will comprise up-market three and four-bedroomed homes ranging between £160,000 and £250,000 in price.

Releasing prime land in greenbelt zones for housing building represents a major change in council policy, but council leader Charlie Gordon said: "Meeting the demand for new family houses while remaining conscious of environmental considerations is not easy.

"However, I'm confident that with the council's forward-thinking approach to the development of the land and the spirit of co-operation that exists, we can achieve results for Glasgow."

Housebuilders have welcomed the policy change and want the Government to relax planning regulations even more.

Mr Milne said the city council should be praised and said: "This is a bold and strategic approach and a represents a major step forward.

"There has been immense pressure on family housing. The infrastructure for communities is there but people have nowhere to live.

"This the first of six projects in Glasgow we are working on. We are planning projects of around 250 houses in Robroyston and Deaconsbank."

An official at Homes for Scotland, which represents the country's housebuilders, added: "We applaud the council's decision ."

But the council has its critics. Green MSP Patrick Harvie claimed: "Brownfield sites in Glasgow are not being used adequately, particularly for housing, and it's irresponsible for the council to free up greenbelt land.

"We need to hand down a green and beautiful Glasgow to its next generation of citizens.

"This development does not represent affordable housing that is genuinely needed - it's luxury housing."

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