A DECISION on controversial plans to build homes in Yoker despite flooding concerns is set to be made today (Tuesday).
Developer Carmichael Homes Scotland Ltd wants to transform a vacant site on Yoker Ferry Road.
It has called on the council to review the proposal after a decision wasn’t made in the required timeframe.
But more than 80 people have objected to the scheme, including local councillors. They believe the site is at risk of flooding.
A previous bid was submitted in 2019 but rejected by council officers, who had concerns over whether the applicant owned the whole site and building on a floodplain.
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The new application requests planning permission in principle – which means more details would need to be approved at a later date – but reveals around 36 homes could be built.
Vacant since 2008, the site, which sits alongside the River Clyde near to the slipway for the Renfrew Ferry, has previously been used for retail and a pub.
The scheme is “an opportunity to reuse a vacant site to create an attractive residential development”, the applicant claims.
They believe an undercroft car park will help to elevate the development above flood levels. A flood risk assessment concludes the plan is “feasible with care”.
Labour councillors Bill Butler and Eva Murray have objected to the application, claiming it remains “unacceptable”.
“The flood risk remains and the impact on the neighbourhood would be a negative one,” they added.
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SNP councillor Chris Cunningham has also objected, saying: “There is ample evidence that the site is subject to regular flooding and this impacts on the viability of the development and its impact on its neighbours.
“Most immediately, the ground level car parking requires active, mechanical, flood defences to address the problem.
“Any housing proposal that requires such measures must be seen to be problematic from the start.”
Housing association Sanctuary Scotland has objected as it believes the development would block tenants’ views.
It also has concerns about the lack of visitor parking and doesn’t agree to the developer using part of its land for an emergency escape route.
The applicant’s request for a review states the target date for a decision was in March this year.
The council’s planning local review committee is expected to make a decision on the application at a meeting on July 5.
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