Scotland

Levern Park

This project is a joint venture partnership between Banks Developments and FM Developments with the JV known as Barrhead Gateway Limited.

The Levern Park Masterplan proposes a comprehensive mixed-use development of business, commercial, neighbourhood retail, residential and recreational uses for the Glasgow Road corridor. Major infrastructure improvements are also proposed for the junction at Hurlet Village which will also assist in facilitating the council’s plans for the wider regeneration of the Barrhead area. The development would generate and support several hundred jobs for the local community and would also provide new public open space and attractive rural walks along the Levern Water.

A public exhibition was held in December 2005 to gain feedback from the local community about our proposals for this area. Feedback from this exhibition and an independent Residents Opinion Survey demonstrated widespread support for the project.

The first aspect of the overall development involves the remediation of the site of the former Nestle pet food factory, which was purchased in 2005 . 2 No. separate planning applications were submitted in 2007 – one for a commercial development comprising drive through restaurant, car showroom and a neighbourhood retail centre and the other for a mixed use development which comprises the commercial element plus residential development incorporating approximately 70 units and 50 apartments including affordable housing. The mixed-use application is now subject to appeal on the basis of non-determination by East Renfrewshire Council and is expected to be heard at Inquiry in August or September of 2008. The commercial application was refused by the Council in March 2008. Barrhead Gateway Limited is committed to the redevelopment of the site and all efforts are now being focussed on achieving a positive outcome at Inquiry.

Should a positive determination for the mixed-use development be forthcoming by the end of 2008 it is hoped that work can commence on site in 2009.