Residents support Westfield retail park plans

Development director Bryan Wilson says residents are clearly in favour of the Westfield project

After they sent an information newsletter to people living in Westfield and Blackwood, they receuved 261 positive responses with just one objection.

At North Lanarkshire Council’s planning portal, there are 109 positive submissions and three objections.

Located near Broadwood Stadium, the developers would offer seven retailers plus a pub, drive-thru coffee shop and a petrol station.

M&S Simply Foodm Aldi and Home Bargains have all signed up to move in if Planning consent is given on Thursday. Starbucks are said to be actively negotiating the coffee shop lease.

Bryan Wilson, development director at L&S Broadwood, said: “We distributed an information leaflet to 1,000 homes in Westfield and Blackwood, because we have real concerns that local people don’t realise how many benefits this development will bring.

“We are delighted that 261 people too the trouble to mail back their support. That is a fantastic response to this sort of exercise, especially in what is now a peak holiday period.

“This is a £25 million development which will bring 200 jobs, give local people top brands on their doorstep and create a focus for the people living on the other side of the M80, three miles from Cumbernauld Town Centre.

“Planning officials have recommended refusal as the original application was for a supermarket, but we very much hope that we will have the opportunity to work with the planners and North Lanarkshire councillors to bring these amenities to an area which is very poorly served at present.”