Story: Lisa Swift
Local residents have raised concerns about a recent planning application to expand Sheaf Training Centre.
Residents are worried that the new development will affect access to Roe Woods from the Firshill estate. A previous small building project on the site churned up the access road leaving deep mud that prevented residents getting into the woods.
Local resident Peter Mappin said,
“It was so deep you just couldn’t get into the woods from Firshill. Lots of people use it, especially to walk their dogs. No one told us about the new planning application, if they had, I would have objected.”
Firshill resident Maureen Scott said,
“The mud was so deep I couldn’t see my two dogs. It’s just not on. They should have told Firshill residents about this new building plan, they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.”
The Messenger visited Roe Woods with local residents and saw evidence of mud and rubble dumped inside the woods near the proposed extension.
The planning application was approved in just 3 months in December 2009, only 16 houses on Norwood Drive were informed of the application. There is no information in the application about how the site will be accessed during the building of the new extension, and no consideration has been given to the impact on the bordering woodland. The Council told the Messenger,
“The Project Management department are currently working closely with Parks and Woodland officers to ensure suitable tree protection measures are in place and discussions are taking place with regard to upgrading the track and ensuring that it is not damaged. Also a bat survey is also being carried out.”