South Lanarkshire Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for 22 new homes and a neighbourhood shop on land adjacent to Meikle Earnock Road in Hamilton, despite more than 20 objections from local residents.
Development details
The development will include a mix of detached and semi-detached houses, including bungalows, alongside a new retail unit measuring around 420 square metres. The shop will have a sales area of approximately 280 square metres and is expected to provide groceries and household goods, although no occupier has yet been identified.
It will also include an ATM, staff facilities, a service yard and 13 parking spaces, including three accessible spaces and two electric vehicle charging spaces. The development will be accessed from Meikle Earnock Road, with pedestrian links connecting the site to existing footpaths and the wider area.
Resident concerns
However, the plans attracted 26 objections during the consultation process. Residents raised concerns about the impact of the development on traffic, road safety, drainage, wildlife and existing homes.
Some objectors claimed the new retail unit could lead to increased noise, disturbance and footfall, while others raised concerns about overlooking and the loss of privacy for properties on MacDairmid Drive. There were also concerns that building on the underdeveloped grassland would result in a loss of greenspace and natural habitats.
Planning context
Road safety was another major issue raised by residents, with objections highlighting the proximity of the proposed junction to the existing roundabout, increased traffic and congestion, and concerns about previous accidents within the Hamilton Community Growth Area. Some residents also raised concerns about flooding and drainage on Meikle Earnock Road.
Despite the concerns, council planning officers recommended that the application be approved. The site forms part of the Hamilton Community Growth Area, which has been earmarked for development for a number of years. Planning permission in principle for the wider Community Growth Area, including housing, a neighbourhood centre, community facilities, access roads and open space, was originally granted in 2017.
Approval and conditions
The council said the latest plans were consistent with the original masterplan. A neighbourhood retail facility was specifically identified as a requirement for the Hamilton West Community Growth Area. Planning officers said the new shop would provide a local food and household goods offer for residents and would support the concept of a 20-minute neighbourhood, potentially reducing the need for residents to travel by car for everyday shopping.
The council reported that housing construction within the wider Community Growth Area is already well underway, but there has been no interest from third parties in delivering the originally planned neighbourhood centre or community facility on this particular site. The proposed shop is therefore intended to provide a smaller-scale local retail facility.
The 22 homes were also considered acceptable under national and local planning policies. The council said the development would provide a range of housing, including bungalows, which could help meet the needs of different groups within the local community. Officers said that the layout and positioning of the homes would minimise impacts on neighbouring properties, including loss of light, overshadowing and overlooking.
The plans also include landscaping and pedestrian links throughout the site. A number of conditions have been attached to the approval, including requirements for a construction traffic management plan, visibility splays and suitable access arrangements. The developer will also be required to ensure the existing core path along the eastern boundary remains open throughout construction, unless a temporary closure is agreed by the council.
Developer contributions will be required under the existing Section 75 agreement for the wider Hamilton Community Growth Area. These contributions will go towards areas including education, roads infrastructure, community facilities and affordable housing. Councillors ultimately agreed to grant full planning permission, subject to conditions and completion of the necessary legal processes relating to the Section 75 agreement.
