Tree felling row sparks fury

Irate residents living north of the M80 and the groups that represent them are being denied the right to peaceful protest by a developer, it’s claimed
Residents claim that after felling the place was decimated.Residents claim that after felling the place was decimated.
Residents claim that after felling the place was decimated.

For banners placed near to tree felling on private property have been removed by representatives from Ogilvie - which has been refused permission to build on the site three times.

Ogilvie owns the site but its neighbours believe that the Stirling-based firm is riding roughshod over the environment, in what has been an ongoing saga.

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Bill Crosson of Westerwood Community Council said: “Once again, residents of Carrickstone, Westerwood and Dullatur, fully supported by their local community councils, are at odds with Ogilvie Homes over plans to fell long established woodland along the strip of land between Dullatur roundabout and Queens Drive. The most recent proposal was rejected by North Lanarkshire Council on a number of grounds, density of housing, traffic issues and general layout.

“The land is designated as ‘Green Network’ to be preserved and protected. Ogilvie Homes appealed against the NLC rejection to the Scottish Government but its appeal was rejected

“Over the years, Ogilvie has significantly ignored maintenance of this stretch of ground and it is only maintained in reasonable condition by the efforts of local residents and used for dog walking and other activities.

“Some planting had been done to preserve the condition of the land but this was destroyed by Ogilvie Homes in 2019 in preparation for its then development plan.”

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Commenting, Councillor Alan Masterton said: “I can understand why residents are very confused and angry at their continued desire to ruin the local environment.

“I have contacted a number of agencies, including North Lanarkshire Council, to raise my concerns over these actions and to see if there is anything that can be done to protect this area of land.

However, a council spokesperson said: “The land is owned by Ogilvie Homes and there are no Tree Preservation Orders in place for the site.

“ As such, the consent of the council is not required to fell trees.

“Despite previous planning applications, no permission has been given to develop this site.”

Ogilvie did not respond to our requests for comment.

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