Courtesy The Extra

By Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter

Planners at East Renfrewshire Council have recommended the proposal for the Busby Road site is given the go-ahead.

More than 20 people have objected to the development, raising concerns over the loss of a “building of character” as well as the viability of retail outlets.

But a planning report reveals the building is not listed so the council has “limited control over its demolition”.

There have been 10 letters of support for the application, which has been submitted by Sabah Hassan.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday to make a decision.

Supporters say the proposal would improve a derelict site and increase job opportunities in Clarkston.

Objectors believe there is not the demand for the development, and it would have an adverse economic impact on the town centre.

They also feel the plans are at odds with the work of the Clarkston Business Improvement District (BID) – where businesses vote to invest collectively in local improvements to boost economic growth.

The ‘I Love Clarkston’ BID, a collective of over 130 businesses, aims to promote the town as a place to visit, shop and socialise.

One objector said: “I have no wish to halt much needed development of this building, however the local council and BID has gone to the trouble of setting out a strategy, and guidelines are in place to preserve irreplaceable heritage in the area. This application pays no respect to that.”

They added: “To demolish it completely and replace with a soulless block doesn’t benefit the area in the slightest. The building may be dilapidated but not irretrievable.”

Another concerned resident added: “Are you really proposing demolition of the characterful station master’s house to build four new box-like shops there is no requirement for?”

An economic assessment submitted with the application states 10 to 20 new jobs could be created by the development.

It concludes the “development will result in a net benefit to the town centre and will have no adverse impact on its vibrancy and vitality”, the council’s planning report states.

One supporter of the scheme said: “The shops will increase vitality and viability to Busby Road therefore making a positive contribution and bringing benefits to the local area.

“More local jobs, more variety for consumers and making use of an unused and overgrown site.”

The sandstone cottage is currently “rather dilapidated”, the council report states.

It adds the proposed development is “acceptable in appearance”.

“It is in keeping with the character and design of the single storey retail unit to the south-east and to the general character and design of the larger, established shopping parade with its roof-top car park to the north-west.”

The proposal is described as a “logical extension to the town centre in terms of its visual character”.

It is considered to comply with the East Renfrewshire Local Development Plan and “therefore should be approved unless material considerations indicate otherwise”.

Any food or drink use of the proposed units would require a change of use application.

A bit of interest regarding this on the Your Clarkston facebook page -

www.facebook.com/myclarkston/

A few of the posts -

- A nice bar with beer garden is exactly what Clarkston needs. Giffnock has got great bars and brings people to the area that will also spend money in the local shops.

- I didn’t realise it was the satiation masters house either. It would make a lovely museum to share Clarkston’s history.

- I didn’t realise it was the satiation masters house either. It would make a lovely museum to share Clarkston’s history.

- It would have been great to see someone with a vision and money to convert the building into a pub with a small beer garden to the side where there is spare ground. The Station House bar. Have a place the community can come to.


Read more at Your Clarkston facebook page

+++++++
It would appear most of the posts are to make use of the current building and gardens as cafe/bar outdoor area for community and against demolition and new shops as currently there are about 10 unoccupied/vacant shops.
+++++++

Cllr Miller has recently stated in a local press article -

“I will continue to help and support the Ward 4 (Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood) constituents as I have always done, as an independent councillor, just as my father did for almost 20 years,” Cllr Miller said.

“Nor is it just Conservative voters whom I will represent but every member of my local community, regardless race, religion, colour, -_-ual orientation or indeed, political affiliation.”

Issue first raised 16 August 2020 !!! Help? Support? Represent every member?


------ Original Message ------
From: "Miller, Stewart (Cllr)" < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Sent: Friday, 2 Oct, 2020 At 17:19
Subject: RE: Neglected and now an Eyesore -  The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi

Acknowledged
 
Stewart


Sent: 02 October 2020 17:13
To: Miller, Stewart (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: RE: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi
If you do not acknowledge/reply then I have to conclude you have ignored.

However, I am not a member of Clarkston Community Group -
 
Private
Only members can see who's in the group and what they post

What makes interesting reading?

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
From: "Miller, Stewart (Cllr)" < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Sent: Friday, 2 Oct, 2020 At 17:03
Subject: RE: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Dear Sir

There is no way I have chosen to ignore anything

Clarkston Community Group FB page makes interesting reading

Yours
Stewart


Sent: 02 October 2020 16:20
To: Miller, Stewart (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Re: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi Stewart

It is disappointing that you choose to ignore this.

However, it is not only me. A bit of interest regarding this on the Your Clarkston facebook page -
www.facebook.com/myclarkston/

It would appear most of the posts are to make use of the current building and gardens as cafe/bar outdoor area for community and against demolition and new shops as currently there are about 10 unoccupied/vacant shops.

Would appreciate courtesy of reply.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, 7 Sep, 2020 At 09:36
Subject: Re: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi
Would appreciate courtesy of a reply.
Thanks



------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Sunday, 23 Aug, 2020 At 10:38
Subject: Re: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi
Would appreciate courtesy of a reply.
Thanks


------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Sunday, 16 Aug, 2020 At 21:00
Subject: Re: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi

Thanks to Google, It would appear a planning application was refused Ref: 2019/0372/TP , 30 August 2019.
2019/0372/TP | Erection of 4 retail units following demolition of existing dwellinghouse | 37 Busby Road Clarkston East Renfrewshire G76 7BN

ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.go...keyVal=PT8RB5GP06G00

The Applicant was -
Mrs Sabah Hassan
7 Ferguston Road
Bearsden
G61 2DX

Would still appreciate if you can answer the other queries below.
Thanks


------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Sunday, 16 Aug, 2020 At 18:29
Subject: Neglected and now an Eyesore - The Station Master's House, Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops

Hi

The Station Master's House, 37 Busby Road Clarkston G76 7BN (Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops)

This property has now been empty for over 2 years.

It would appear to be neglected and the gardens overgrown. It has now become a bit of an eyesore.

Is this deliberate?

Is the intention to neglect the maintenance of the building to ensure demolition?

Who owns the building?

Can the Council not ensure it is maintained and kept in good order?

Why build 'park-lets' when obviously this particular building/gardens could be turned into some sort of community (or private) cafe/eating place with gardens for sitting in, which in the current situation for demand for more outside space, is much more preferable  option.

What can be done?

What can you do to improve the situation?

Your help with this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Planning Meeting

You can view Agenda here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/3499/P...m=637364575403930000

You can view papers here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/3502/P...m=637364577230130000


You can view recording here from Council Website -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/planning-app...ons-committee-300920

Meeting Recording

The recording of this meeting can be viewed on the Council's YouTube channel.

The Station Master's House, 37 Busby Road Clarkston G76 7BN (Clarkston station, Clarkston Toll shops)

Is the intention to neglect the maintenance of the building to ensure demolition?

Can the Council not ensure it is maintained and kept in good order?

Why build 'park-lets' when obviously this particular building/gardens could be turned into some sort of community (or private) cafe/eating place with gardens for sitting in, which in the current situation for demand for more outside space, is much more preferable option.


The Application was refused.


Thanks to Cllrs Miller, Ireland, Swift, Cunningham, Convery for voting to reject the application.

Cllr Fletcher put forward an amendment to pass the application. There was no seconder for his motion.

However, it was disappointing that proposals for developing and maintaining the building/gardens were not explored -

Can the Council not ensure it is maintained and kept in good order?

Why build 'park-lets' when obviously this particular building/gardens could be turned into some sort of community (or private) cafe/eating place with gardens for sitting in, which in the current situation for demand for more outside space, is much more preferable option.

If a Community plan can be developed for use of the current building/gardens this could be used to challenge further applications.

I would urge Local Councillors to encourage this without delay.

They could start with getting the gardens tidied and perhaps used in the short term for seating etc and for the public to enjoy during the lockdown restrictions.

Published The Extra On Line -

Clarkston station master’s house saved

Demolition plans for the former station master’s house in Clarkston have been rejected by East Renfrewshire Council.

By Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter

Wednesday, 7th October 2020, 5:57 am

Planning officers had recommended the proposal, which would have seen four shops built on the Busby Road site, could be approved as the building is not listed.

But most councillors on the planning committee were in favour of refusing the application.

More than 20 nearby residents had objected to the development, with 10 letters of support for the plans.

An economic assessment submitted with Sabah Hassan’s application stated 10 to 20 new jobs could be created by the proposed development.

But Councillor Stewart Miller said there had been “really detailed” opposition to the plans, which countered every argument put forward by the developer.

“The station master’s son was in my class in primary one so I’ve known this house for a long, long time,” he said.

“To build four shops on this site is an obvious overdevelopment as many of the objectors have pointed out.

“There is no economic need and there is no economic argument.”

Mr Miller, quoting the objectors, said the plans would have knocked down built heritage and there would be no job opportunities if the shops lie empty.

Councillor Betty Cunningham raised concerns about traffic and parking in the area if the development went ahead.

However, East Renfrewshire’s Provost, Jim Fletcher, said: “There’s absolutely nothing in planning terms to stop this going through. People are suggesting there maybe should be roads objections, there aren’t.

“It’s in line with the local plan. I think on balance I’d probably be supportive.”

He added: “We’re heading for a dreadful economic crisis in the UK, there’s already criticism for UK Government, for the Scottish Government and local government for not doing enough to prepare for the avalanche of unemployment that’s going to hit us.

“They’re creating potential job opportunities that might be here for quite a bit in the future.

“I think you have to be positive and say after the pandemic these shop units can be used productively.”

Mr Miller said he agreed with a lot of what Mr Fletcher had said but, due to current empty shop units in Clarkston, there is “plenty of scope for new business to come in”.

Council officers had said the application complied with the East Renfrewshire Local Development Plan and “therefore should be approved unless material considerations indicate otherwise”.

They had also revealed the council had “limited control” over the demolition as the house is not a listed building.