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News of Friday 18th March - The appeal has been dismissed

We Like Milngavie thanks residents, groups and others for their support throughout the campaign.

Download the Decision Letter »
EDC's closing submission to the inquiry »
WLM-MCC's closing submission to the inquiry »

Tesco's appeal against refusal of planning permission

This was heard on February 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Kessington Hall and the Reporter was accompanied on a visit to the site and its surroundings on February 4th. WeLikeMilngavie and Milngavie Community Council would like to thank all those who were able to sit in for parts of the Hearing and Inquiry, providing moral support and keeping up a convincing public presence. A brief report of the proceedings, and our closing submission can be downloaded via links on the "Latest" » page . We await the Reporter's decision, expected sometime in March.

Organisations who have requested WLM/MCC to act on their behalf in objecting to this proposal

Bearsden North Community Council Bearsden West Community Council Bearsden East Community Council Strathblane Community Council Mains Estate Residents Association Baljafray Residents Association

Burnbrae Residents Association Milngavie Civic Trust Milngavie in Bloom Milngavie Heritage Centre Group Bearsden and Milngavie Ramblers Milngavie History and Heritage Group

See also Tesco's own aerial view of Milngavie with the proposed superstore and decked carpark superimposed .

Background

Milngavie is a small Scottish town with its own local character and identity. This is why many people choose to live here. They particularly value its town centre shopping area, in a conservation area at the historic core of the town. See a map of the conservation area ». Its special qualities are described in the Council's Conservation Area Appraisal (2006) » (pdf 4M)

"We like Milngavie" (WLM) is a formally constituted group of local residents, formed to oppose Tesco's application of July 2009. Its office bearers are: Robin Brown, Chairman; Grahame Ross, Treasurer and Derek McGaw, Secretary. WLM joined forces with Milngavie Community Council as a third party, to oppose Tesco's appeal, and in this were supported by many other local groups. To contact WLM email     info@welikemilngavie.org

"We Like Milngavie" is happy for Tesco to upgrade their Milngavie store, especially in the direction of providing a greener store. We are not opposed to modest expansion of the store on its present site south of the river, provided that this can be readily accommodated by the retail capacity of the area, as detailed in the Retail Capacity Study for East Dunbartonshire (latest update December 2009). Extract from the Retail Capacity study »

Any extension or redevelopment of the store must, like the existing building, be appropriate for the sensitive parkland location and the surrounding conservation area, in particular in its scale and massing. Materials should reflect those used in the locality, such as stone or brick, with a pitched slated roof. With any major redevelopment, Architecture and Design Scotland should be consulted at an early stage, as recommended by the Scottish Government. In all cases the principles set out in the A+DS Guidance Notes on Issues in Retail-Led Developments » should be followed.

The group will promptly correct any errors of fact in this website.