Plans to build a superstore on the site of Atholl House have once again been rejected.

South Lanarkshire Council have upheld a decision to refuse the application to build a foodstore and associated carparking on the site.

The original application to build on the five-storey site was lodged in July 2011 by Ediston Opportunities.

A revised application was then submitted by the applicant, but was refused by the planning committee in February this year.

At that time, councillors agreed the proposal would have an "unacceptable cumulative impact" on East Kilbride town centre and neighbourhood centres in the town.


38 letters of objection and representation were received to the store plan.

In May, Ediston Opportunities launched an appeal, whereupon the planning committee were told that the appeal would take the form of hearings and inquiry sessions commencing in the last week in November.

However, it was not to be. The committee reviewed the application in the context that the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2006 on which the council’s refusal was based had now been superseded by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan 2012.

Executive Director of Community and Enterprise Resources Colin McDowall told the committee: "The proposal, if approved, would have an unacceptable impact on town and neighbourhood centres in East Kilbride. The transportation, access and car park arrangements have failed to satisfy the requirements of the council’s roads and transportation service.

"Whilst the proposal would generate employment, which is to be welcomed, this would be to the detriment of existing centres, impact on the local road network and adversely affect residential amenity."

He concluded: "On this basis, I recommend refusal of the application."

(IT)