Duallingat oddswith FM’svision onclimate
The controversial dualling of Stewartfield Way flies in the face of the First Minister’s declaration of a “climate emergency”.
Campaigners against the £62million City Deal project have been calling for a re-think and for South Lanarkshire Council to consider more sustainable options.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani now says the First Minister’s announcement of a climate emergency constitutes a “material change” in the framework of the City Deal.
And the Scottish Government say the statement qualifies as a “as a change to economic circumstances” and will be taken into consideration as part of a review into City Deal project.
The chief executive of SLC has also told Ms Fabiani that “consideration will require to be given to the recent declaration of a climate emergency by the First Minister” and that “in terms of progressing the business case, there is a requirement to assess it against sustainability criteria”.
The council previously remained firm that they would plough ahead with the Stewartfield Way project which is funded by both the UK and Scottish Governments.
Ms Fabiani said: “When the First Minister announced a climate emergency I went back to SLC, the City Deal Cabinet in Glasgow and the Scottish Government expressing concern that concentration on road projects, including the dualling of Stewartfield Way, is not compatible with the aspirations of the Scottish Government, and calling for review.
“I will contiue to push for East Kilbride being a centre for sustainability, based on the proposed enhancements of the rail system and capacity for carbon-free projects.” NICOLA FINDLAY
A row has erupted over the destruction of a muchloved historic site in East Kilbride.
That’s after much of Craigneith Castle was found to be destroyed with construction work being carried out round about the Calderglen relic.
With a large part of the castle ruin gone and parts of an ancient woodland torn down, conservation group Calderglen Heritage are now demanding action – a historic pond teaming with flora and fauna has also been filled in.
When the News visited the site there were visible signs that sections of the castle had been dug out and masonry removed rather than it falling through natural decay.
Chris Ladds, chairman of Calderglen Heritage, has now lodged an application to have the site designated as one of historical significance.
He said: “Craigneith Castle had been almost fully demolished – about 60 per cent of the overall site has been lost, including ancient hedgerows and trees.
“A large wetland pond was filled in, which involved the destruction of a medieval dyke topped by large mature beech woodland. As far as I can trace, no felling permissions were granted for this.
“The spot is now an unsightly mess.”
The site is part of farmland owned by Advance Construction Ltd – headed up by millionaire Seamus Shields – who insist no demolition work had been carried out on the ruin.
They also say any and all land works there were signed-off by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC).
Now both the town’s MSP and MP have written to SLC calling for an investigation and expressing concern at the felling of trees and other works at Craigneith Castle.
But in a letter responding to Linda Fabiani MSP, the council say they could find “no evidence” of works carried out in the vicinity of the former castle.
Historic Environment Scotland along with Scottish Forestry say they are investigating.
Mr Ladds added: “It is simply unbelievable the council can say the castle has not been touched when there is so much photographic and video evidence of exactly that.
“The work being carried out is also threatening to level ancient Basket mound. It seems something has gone very wrong here and we want answers.”
Dr Lisa Cameron MP said a number of concerned constituents spoke with her about the matter at a recent surgery.
She told the News: “They believe there may be areas of historical and natural importance being destroyed by a landowner.
“It is vital we preserve our natural landscape around East Kilbride, an area of true beauty and of significance.”
Advance Construction told the News they were “fully aware” of the history and heritage of the site, and were “working to improve it” by returning it to agricultural use - “not destroy or diminish it in any way”. He added that “any work carried out has been done under our permitted powers.”
Pauline Elliott, head of planning and economic development at SLC, said because the castle remains are not designated as a listed building or as a scheduled monument “there is no statutory protection”.
That means a demolition warrant would not be needed to get rid of what is left of the building.
She added: “The land is part of a registered farm and the owner has carried out some ground works on part of the landholding to regrade the profile.
“Agricultural operations benefit from a wide range of permitted development rights – this includes the carrying out of engineering operations such as those undertaken here. As a result planning permission is not required.
“The trees within the landholding are not covered by a Tree Preservation Order. However a felling licence would have been required from the Scottish Forestry commission.”
Scottish Forestry said no felling permission was given and that they are “carrying out an investigation into what happened”.
A spokesman from Historic Environment Scotland said they were assessing the site after an application to consider Craigneith Castle for designation.