TWO politicians have echoed the concerns of scores of Gretna residents who oppose a new housing development on the town’s old golf course.
Dumfriesshire MP and MSP, David and Oliver Mundell, say they have been contacted by a number of constituents with grievances over plans lodged by developers Alba Group to build 200 new houses.
A petition started recently by Beverly Robinson, who lives at Malor Park beside the site, has collected more than 200 signatures.
She said Gretna’s infrastructure is not fit to handle an influx of hundreds of new residents and urged townspeople to “make their voices heard”.
Ms Robinson also accused developers of “trying to push through planning on this site during yet another lockdown”.
A deadline for feedback on the development, which has planning permission in principle, ended last Friday, February 19.
David Mundell said: “There is a widely held view that building so many new houses in the village at this time does not reflect demand and would add to the strain on local infrastructure such as water, drainage, education provision and other vital services.”
Oliver Mundell added: “There are serious issues that cannot be dealt with fully enough through the current process, which included an online event I took part in and was far from satisfactory. I’m urging councillors and officials to give careful consideration to these widely held local concerns.”
Alba’s managing director Shane Ticklepenny said last month: “This site will help the local area and bring much-needed family and affordable homes to the area. We are very proud of our plans at Gretna and hope it will inject new life to the village.
“Our investment will bring an economic boost and attract new families to the area.”
