How the Local Plan was undermined to smooth the way for the developers

The Key Policy Directions Report (KPDR) was a consultation document preparing for the next Local Plan. In relation to Kilmardinny/Westpark it contained detailed wording of a new policy which differed from the current policy in three main ways:

1 KPDR required replacement of the Allander Leisure Centre.

2 KPDR did not require retention of the West of Scotland Rugby Club in the site. Removal of the Rugby Club makes space for almost double the number of houses in the development.

3 KPDR did not commit the developer to contribute financially to a rail halt.

All three changes were in line with the CALA/Stewart Milne proposal, but did not benefit the community.

KPDR was published at the same time as the Council's QC was presenting the original policy on behalf of the Council.. The Executive Reporter wrote that KPDR must reflect the Council's most recent published thinking. It was almost certainly responsible for her being minded to grant the developers' appeal.

The current Local Plan

Click on image to enlarge. Opens a new window. Close to return.

Had the appeal eventually been refused, this redraft would have smoothed the path for the developers to submit a second revised application, this time unhindered by the Local Plan.

To date, KWAG has been unable to determine who decided the terms of this revision, and how it came to be approved for inclusion in the KPDR.

UPDATE: FULL COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 24th 2009

Not surprisingly, the consultation responses from the community were uniformly opposed to the altered KPDR wording relating to Kilmardinny. In spite of this, on June 24th Councillors were invited to approve it for the "Finalised Draft Local Plan". (Unlike the KPDR, this is an important statutory stage en route to the new Local Plan). Fortunately, enough Councillors aware of the issues and concerned for democracy carried a vote to retain the current wording relating to Kilmardinny/Westpark.

Observers of the Council's attitude to consultation may care to note that the officials' report to Councillors described the community's consultation responses to the Kilmardinny schedule in KPDR as "mixed", when in reality they were uniformly critical.

The "Key Policy Directions Report" (KPDR)

Click on images to enlarge. Opens a new window. Close to return.