Casting vote used to approve controversial planning move

A housing developer with plans for 39 homes on the edge of Barrhead can cut down extra trees despite efforts to stop the move.

- DREW SANDELANDS, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Briar Homes was granted permission to build on land around C-listed Lyoncross House, off Aurs Road, last year even though council officials recommended the scheme was rejected.

The firm then asked for approval to chop down 16 additional trees and retain 10 which were set to be removed in order to meet the drainage requirements of Scottish Water.

Planners recommended the proposal was approved but over 40 residents had objected-and Cllr Annette Ireland, an independent, moved that it was rejected.

However, Cllr Paul Edlin (Conservative) moved that permission to cut down the trees was granted. There were two votes for each proposal and the application was approved on the casting vote of Cllr Andrew Morrison (Conservative) who was chairing the planning meeting.