ALMOST two months ago now – on September 17, to be exact – constituents in Duntocher, in my Kilpatrick ward, were told by the Scottish Government that an appeal by Barratt Homes West had been successful, and that planning permission had been granted to build 99 houses on Duntiglennan Fields in Duntocher.

Regular readers of the Post will have seen many mentions of Duntiglennan Fields as a potential housing site over the last six years or more. My fellow ward councillors, Douglas McAllister and Jim Finn, have represented the wishes and the overwhelming objections of our local constituents to any housing plans for this site – the very last truly greenbelt site in north Clydebank, quietly nestled at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills.

We successfully rejected a similar planning application a few years ago, again representing the overwhelming wishes of our residents, neighbours and constituents in Duntocher, and some further afield, due to the potential loss of this area of natural beauty.

Douglas and I have been very clear from the outset that we are not opposed to any potential housing developer building in the West Dunbartonshire area, and previously pointed out to Barratt Homes West that one of their most successful UK development sites, by their own admission, was the development at the old Clydebank College site.

There are many brownfield sites that are currently being considered or have been developed for housing within the Clydebank area, including the former secondary school sites at Braidfield and St Andrew’s, as well as at the former council offices site at Roseberry Place and the major regeneration site at Queens Quay – a site that will develop into a major boost to our local area and its economy.

All these factors have led to previous rejections of planning applications at Duntiglennan Fields.

Fast forward to September 2020 and the communication from the DPEA to our constituents and to West Dunbartonshire Council on the planning appeal decision.

It was met with disbelief – particularly given that the DPEA / Scottish Ministers had only recently agreed that Duntiglennan Fields should NOT be included as a potential housing development opportunity within our new local development plan (LDP2).

I lodged an emergency motion, seconded by Cllr McAllister, asking the full council to authorise officials to investigate all avenues of appeal – up to and including a review of the decision at the Court of Session. That motion was unanimously supported.

I’d like to thank the leader of the council, and also Cllr Finn, for their support, too. Our staff, working tirelessly, have provided massive information to our legal counsel and court papers were lodged towards the end of October.