01/08/2025
Published Barrhead News On Line
www.barrheadnews.com/news/
Developer behind Barrhead homes plans to cut down more trees
By Drew Sandelands
Local Democracy Reporter
A housing developer with plans for almost 40 homes on the edge of Barrhead wants to cut down more trees than initially proposed.
Over 40 residents have objected to the proposal, which the firm has said is needed to meet the drainage requirements of Scottish Water.
Briar Homes’ plan to build 39 homes on land around C-listed Lyoncross House, off Aurs Road, was approved by East Renfrewshire’s planning committee last year, despite officials recommending it was rejected.
The company now intends to cut down 16 additional trees and retain 10 which had been earmarked for removal, a council report states.
One neighbour said: “My primary reason for this objection is based on the numerous and irreplaceable benefits trees provide to our environment, local community and even property values.”
Another added: “The building of these houses will see the removal of mature woodland which is already extremely scarce within East Renfrewshire and beyond.”
Planners say the extra trees can be chopped down, and suggest a condition should be attached to the permission which would ensure six new trees are planted on site to “mitigate the net tree loss”.
They added: “Subject to such a condition, it is considered that the impact of the current proposal… is acceptable and that the character and visual amenity of the area will not be significantly adversely affected.”
Councillors on the planning committee will consider the application on Wednesday, August 6.
Approval for the homes was given in March last year despite officials having concerns over the lack of affordable housing, the impact on Dams to Darnley Country Park and the loss of “established” trees.
They also said the proposal was “not anticipated or planned for” within a Barrhead South masterplan, with homes already under construction or approved fulfilling “an allocated capacity”.
Permission was finally granted in December after an agreement over a financial contribution to social housing in East Renfrewshire was reached with the developers.
The firm has been working towards meeting conditions before starting construction on site, and has now requested to alter a condition relating to trees.
A council report states: “The applicant has advised that the drainage plan approved by Scottish Water requires the provision of underground attenuation tanks.
“For technical and operational reasons, those tanks can only be provided in the west of the site at the lower end of the access road. This would necessitate the removal of the 16 trees.”
Objectors have raised concerns over the loss of trees and the impact on protected species, air quality, storm water management and the Dams to Darnley Country Park.
Some complaints relate to the existing plans for new homes, which council officials say are “not considered relevant”.
In the council report, planners state updated ecology and arboricultural assessments are considered “adequate”. They continue: “It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure the adequate drainage of the site, through the implementation of the drainage strategy.
“The limited changes to the tree retention would not be considered to significantly affect this or the air quality of the area.”
Planners also state the changes are “not considered to adversely affect the setting of the listed building or the amenity of the country park given their nature and limited scale”.
They report the arboricultural assessment concludes a replanting strategy “compensates for the removal of the trees to be felled”.
“It is accepted that the extent of the tree loss is not insignificant,” planners add. “It is nevertheless considered that the applicant’s replanting proposals… will in part mitigate this loss.”
Officials have also suggested a condition is added to ensure pre-construction checks are needed for any trees where bats could be present.
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