Robroyston Residents Hold Public Meeting   June 15, 2011

Thursday night witnessed some heated exchanges as local residents fighting to save their community attended a public meeting with property developers in the North East of the City. The meeting, organised by Robroyston Community Council, was called after Link Housing Association planned to build 47 houses and flats on a site next to the Brookfield Estate.

One of the main issues raised at the meeting was the lack of a proper consultation with affected residents, who were only made aware of the plans were when the developers moved in to start building. East Dumbartonshire planners put this down to issues with local government boundaries with Glasgow and East Dumbartonshire Councils.

Councillor Gerry Leonard and MSP Paul Martin attended the meeting, both of whom have been leading the calls for a rethink on the development.

Paul Martin MSP said:

“I was shocked that residents were denied their right to have their voices heard.

“This is the wrong design of development for this site and no consideration has been given to what local people are thinking. I urge Link to halt the building of the project until a full and proper consultation has been carried out.”

Councillor Gerry Leonard shared similar sentiments. He said:

“Meetings like this really show what a strong community we have in Robroyston. I want to make sure that we preserve that and it is not destroyed by developers who haven’t even asked what the local residents think.

“I want to pay tribute to all the residents who turned up tonight, as well as Robroyston Community Council for organising such a successful meeting. We need Link to stop and think.”