18/8/2021

Published Barrhead News On Line

News

3 hrs ago

Clarkston After School Service gets Newford Grove green light

By Gillian McPherson Reporter

An after-school service will now be able to offer outdoor classes in East Renfrewshire after planning permission was granted on appeal.

Officials at East Renfrewshire Council had initially backed the bid by Clarkston After School Service (CASS) to develop urban greenspace near Williamwood High but, after more than 20 objections were received, it was rejected by the planning committee in March.

However, that decision has since been overturned by an independent Scottish Government reporter.

The new location for classes at the bottom of Newford Grove, which is owned by housebuilders Mactaggart and Mickel, will replace the service CASS had been running from Greenbank Church since 2015.

It features a modular unit from Portakabin UK, as well as a wildlife pond and parking spaces for parents.

The base, which will operate along the forest schools model, opens to 30 children from Busby Primary, Carolside Primary and St Joseph’s Primary from today, with plans to increase this number later, based on demand.

Lesley Manson, CASS owner and director, told the Barrhead News: “I’ve spent around the last 10 months working on developing the site.

MacTaggart and Mickel have very graciously allowed us to use the space and this has been a real lifeline for us.

“Greenbank Church Hall and grounds have been sold to developers and we didn’t have the option to remain there, so we were at serious and imminent risk of closure if we didn’t find a new home.

“The appeal decision is therefore an enormous relief to us because we had exhausted every other avenue.

“The site is a beautiful urban green space with woodland and a riverbank and is the perfect setting for a childcare facility.

“We want to cultivate it, so instead of it being overgrown and neglected it is actually more of a resource for the community and a space they can enjoy as well.”

Objectors had raised concerns over increased traffic, as well as noise, anti-social behaviour and loss of green space.

But the reporter said the development “would not appear out of place” and that public access to the land would be maintained.

The appeal was therefore allowed and permission granted for three years, subject to conditions.

After three years, the period of use will cease, unless a new planning application is submitted and approved.