Greer Hails Drive-Thru Victory
Local Green MSP Ross Greer has declared a victory for the local community after an application for a fast food drive-thru in Bearsden was rejected by East Dunbartonshire Council.
The council recently announced that officers have refused the application to build a takeaway – widely believed to be a KFC - in the car park of Asda on Milngavie Road. The officers’ reasons for rejection state that developments must “prioritise access arrangements for sustainable travel over any arrangements for private car travel” and quote the Scottish Government’s new National Planning Framework 4, which presumes against new drive-thru developments unless they’re actively supported by local planning policy.
The application drew 146 objections, including from Ross himself, and a petition hosted by the local Green MSP drew 161 signatures.
The National Planning Framework used by council officers to reject the application was heavily influenced by the Scottish Greens, who joined the Scottish Government during its development. It was passed by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year.
Greer, Green MSP for the West of Scotland, who lives in Bearsden, commented:
“This is a resounding victory for local residents who fought against these plans. I’m delighted the council have made clear that any development where the car is king is now unacceptable. Anyone who knows Milngavie Road appreciates just how congested it already is at rush hour. Adding to that would have been completely unacceptable.
“I hope that councillors now take the natural next step and change local planning policy to presume against any new drive-thrus in Bearsden and Milngavie. This would follow in the footsteps of a successful campaign by Green Councillors’ in Glasgow and the strong presumption against contained in National Planning Framework 4.
“Drive-thrus are air-pollution and carbon emission hotspots. We need developments that are designed to be convenient for walking, cycling and public transport, and which protect existing shopping areas like Bearsden Cross and Milngavie Precinct, which are full of local businesses who reinvest their profits in the community.”