United in protest

Jenny Foulds • Published 23 Mar 2010 15:00

THE man who will pass or reject a controversial planning application admitted he was taken aback by the number of protesters when he made a site visit last week.

Reporter Mr Hutchinson, from the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA), visited Leven Street in Alexandria on Tuesday.

He is dealing with an appeal by Dunbritton Housing Association (DHA) against West Dunbartonshire Council's (WDC) decision to reject its housing plans for the Alexandria site.

The Leven Street Action Group (LSAG) and other members of the community put all of its effort into opposing the appeal on the day, when it staged a big demonstration with 30 posters and banners reading 'no flats here' and 'no to over-development'.

James Hunter, of LSAG, said he was himself surprised by the amount of residents who came to show their support.

He added: "The reporter remarked to the entourage of lobbyists who attended him, that in more than twenty years of such visits he had never seen such a large turnout of people who were in opposition to such a development."

The community was also supported by Lomond councillor Ronnie McColl and Baptist Church representative William MacDiarmid, who both explained their objections to Mr Hutchinson.

DHA chiefs, Leven councillor Jim Bollan were also present, while Bield Housing Association area manager Linda Wilkie represented residents of the nearby Croft Sheltered Housing complex.

Mr Hunter added: "Mr Hutchinson spent about an hour speedily walking the proposed site as well as the surrounding area to familiarise himself with the layout whilst at the same time listening to the various representations from both sides of the argument."

Mr Hunter told him all of the concerns highlighted by the community and emphasised why councillors had rejected the proposed development in November last year.

A spokeperson for DHA declined to comment until a final decision on the proposed development is made by Mr Hutchinson.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Mar 10

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