Football legend Graeme Souness is at the centre of a heated controversy surrounding a proposed £350 million development in North Lanarkshire that promises to bring substantial economic benefits to the area. As the director of Orchard Brae, Souness advocates for a project intended to create around 2,000 jobs, particularly following the closure of an Amazon depot in Gourock. However, the development, which is to be constructed on green belt land between Calderbank and Carnbroe, has garnered significant opposition, particularly from local conservation groups.

The Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig Conservation Group has voiced its disapproval of the project through public meetings, claiming environmental and community concerns are being overlooked. Souness has raised accusations that some councillors have violated impartiality regulations by expressing predetermined stances at these gatherings. In particular, Labour councillor Michael McBride, known for his opposition to developments on green belt land, has been singled out. Souness asserts, “I have evidence he is not alone in going to objectors’ meetings and declaring a stance on it, which should automatically exclude them from taking part in a vote on this application.”

Despite Souness’s insistence on the need for a transparent process, the conservation group’s spokeswoman maintained that councillors attended merely to observe and not to engage in debate. This dispute highlights the complexities of local governance, especially as North Lanarkshire Council grapples with severe budgetary constraints, including £57 million in cuts over the next three years due to the recent Scottish budget settlement. These financial pressures complicate the council’s decisions regarding lucrative developments versus community opposition.

The stakes are high, as the potential economic impact of the Orchard Brae project could lead to significant revitalisation in the area, contributing an estimated £8.4 million annually in economic benefits and reducing unemployment and homelessness. While Souness emphasises the jobs and regeneration the project could provide, critics, including Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson, have expressed deep concern over the environmental implications and the loss of valuable green space. Simpson has urged Souness to reconsider the plan, citing the cultural and ecological importance of the green belt.

Additionally, historical considerations are at play, as crucial archaeological sites could be at risk should the development proceed. The opposition is not merely grounded in political or economic concerns but is intertwined with a broader community narrative about preserving local heritage and environmental integrity.

As the council prepares for a decisive vote on June 12, the clash between development ambitions and community values continues to intensify. With voices from both sides growing louder, the potential for compromise or conflict remains uncertain, but the implications of the council’s decision are likely to resonate far beyond this immediate locality.

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Source: Noah Wire Services