New transport depot and museum given green light for Neilston

A plan to create a new transport depot with workshops, offices and a museum near Neilston has been given the go-ahead despite concerns over the impact on wildlife.

Councillors in East Renfrewshire approved waste management and haulage firm J&M Murdoch's application for land at Shillford.

Planning officials reported that although the proposal marked a departure from usual policy, it was "justified by the unique economic and sustainability benefits it delivers."

There were 13 objections to the bid, citing fears over increased traffic and placing the depot at a site known for animals such as badgers and otters.

The firm, which specialises in waste management, haulage and skip hire, has been based just under two miles away from the new site, at Crofthead Mill, since 1998.

It currently has 150 staff and a fleet of 70 heavy goods vehicles, but its application for the land off Lochlibo Road said it had become difficult to work effectively and efficiently from the current site.

The new facility will directly replace the existing base at Crofthead. The company said it believed moving locations could treble current capacity as a business and increase staff by 20% over five years.

A museum will primarily display vintage vehicles owned by the applicant, a council report added.

One objection stated: "To disturb a badger's foraging area is unlawful, to intercept an otter's route of migration is unlawful.

"I don't yet see in the plans how that's going to be accommodated."

He added that another concern was the roadway from Neilston to Uplawmoor and a possible increase in traffic.

In response, the agent representing Murdoch's said: "Ecological and protected species surveys were done in preparation of the application and there were no protected species found on sites at the time.

"There is a condition proposed that additional surveys will be required prior to development. That is something that we will ensure is appropriately mitigated."

Council leader Owen O'Donnell said Murdoch's was not just a local business in Neilston but a neighbour.

He added: "It is an integral part of Neilston and will take all of these objections and conditions seriously. I have got every confidence that they will treat this seriously and respectfully."

The land is located in the greenbelt on the south side of Lochlibo Road.

The council report said it included "an area of brownfield land and an existing workshop/shed associated with a former bus depot" while the "remainder of the site comprises underutilised agricultural grass land".

The report added that the existing Crofthead Mill site could be redeveloped as a business centre for small and medium enterprises.

Story by Local Democracy reporter Drew Sandelands.