Sandra's Holyrood Diary

Issue 8 - September 2001

Planning Controversies Rage in the West End:
Public Local Inquiry Called For Novar Drive Controversy

Sandra White has been inundated with complaints from many West End residents concerned by the recent spate of controversal planning applications. Most controversal of all recently have been the applications affecting Novar Drive in Hyndland, Churchill Drive Broomhill and Park Quadrant.

Residents have been outraged by the applications which if given the go ahead would increase pressure on areas already heavily built up, destroying existing open space with detrimental effects on the quality of life for local people.

These new controversies come hot on the heels of previous contentious proposals affecting Dawsholm Park, Thornwood Park, Caird Drive and the Kelvin Hall.

Sandra fully backs community campaigns on these issues and has made her objections known. She has written to Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Executive and the minister responsible for planning stating her objections.


OUTRAGED

Sandra was outraged by the attempt of agents for the developers to "bribe" residents of Churchill Drive in order to possess the land. She has called for an investigation into these events.

It seems that every piece of vacant land, and even some which is not vacant, has become a target for developers with an eye on a fast buck.


PUBLIC INQUIRY CALLED FOR NOVAR DRIVE

Sandra welcomed the decision by the Scottish Executive to call a Public Local Inquiry into the planning application for the site at Novar Drive. Sandra commented, "The decision by the Council to reject the proposals for the development of the site was made for very sound reasons. Nothing has changed since that decision was made. The community is united in opposing this development. They have my total support and I will do whatever I can to help."

Sandra Pledges her Support to Thornwood Community Park campaign

Sandra attended a public meeting held in the Partick Burgh Halls on 23rd May organised by the Friends of Thornwood Community Park. Sandra pledged her complete support for the community's campaign.

Sandra demanded that the views of the local community be heard and gave her full support to their consultation exercise. Our city parks are a precious asset and we must protect them at all costs.

Parliamentary Business

© The Scottish Parlimanet

Although Parliament was in recess for the summer Sandra has continued to deal with a heavy workload dealing with constituent problems and local issues.

Parliamentary Questions

During the summer recess Sandra has lodged a number of questions with the Scottish Executive on various issues including Glasgow rail transport, airline subsidies, airport rail link studies and on controversal planning applications.

Local Government Committee

Sandra will now be serving on Parliament's Local Government Committee after a busy year as a member of the Social Justice Committee.

Motions

Sandra has resubmitted for debate her motion on the threat by Labour run Glasgow City Council to sell off the Kelvin Hall to private developers. The issue is still arousing much controversy and local opposition.

Cross-Party Groups

Sandra is a member of various Cross-Party Groups and will be continuing as convenor of the CPG on Older People, Age and Ageing during this session of Parliament.

Local Issues

Crime in Milton

Sandra met with Maryhill Policeover concerns about outbreaks of crime in the Milton area. Residents had put their concerns to Sandra about rising crime levels in the area. She received assurances fro mthe police that these problems would be dealt with. She will continue to monitor the situation.

Dundasvale Court Factoring Problem

Residents approached Sandra to ask why they had to pay over £4000 in June to the Council for windows not fitted until October. Pensioners in the flats were extremely unhappy about paying upfront and losing hundreds of pounds in interest. Sandra has taken up the issue with the Council and demanded the tenants are reimbursed for lost interest.

Whiteinch Community Facility

Sandra was delighted to learn that Whiteinch Community Association have won agreement from the Council for the transfer of the site of the old Whiteinch Centre and has also won funds from the local Social Inclusion Partnership towards the new facility. Sandra has given her full support to the community in their campaign for this much needed facility.

Glasgow CrossRail Link

Sandra has been campaigning for some time for the implementation of this long awaited scheme to link the Glasgow north and south rail networks. She took great encouragement from the recent Strathclyde Passenger Transport meeting which gave new proposals serious consideration. Sandra said, "I am delighted by this development, however I will continue to press the Scottish Government and the transport authorities until this scheme becomes a reality."

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