| Residents back Dobbies' plan |
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| Written by Andrea O'Neill | ||||||
 A MULTI-million pound plan to transform a derelict site at Peel Park into a horticultural haven has been given the green light by East Kilbride residents.Dobbies lodged a detailed planning application with South Lanarkshire Council on Friday to build one of their popular ‘Garden World’ centres, at the East Kilbride industrial estate facing St James Retail Centre. The proposal is part of an ambitious masterplan for the area as developers, JHAG Ltd, also lodged an application to build a hotel, supermarket, petrol station and two drive-through restaurants on the same 23-hectares site. Up to 800 jobs are expected to be created if the ambitious plans get the go-ahead, which would mean a £50million investment for the town. Other South Lanarkshire companies may also benefit from the proposed garden centre, as Dobbies bosses say they are keen to source local suppliers to fill the shelves of their farm foodhall, sell produce for the top quality restaurant and provide other goods and services. More than 80 people attended a recent Dobbies exhibition at the Holiday Inn and a massive 91 per cent lodged an overwhelming ‘yes’ to Dobbies garden centre at Peel Park. The questionnaire also gave people the chance to add heir own views about the development. Comments included: “The land in question would be put to good use with a garden centre. The land is lying dormant and this development would be beneficial to the area.” “I feel that Dobbies would be a valued business in the area, which is just wasteland at present.” “It appears Dobbies has carefully thought through this development in all areas and the investment in East Kilbride must surely be welcome, particularly given the recent economic activity or lack of. This would bring jobs and skills to the area.” “I like the idea of a local farm food hall to support local farmers and I am very supportive of the eco garden.” Dobbies representatives also attended a meeting of Stewartfield community council whose secretary, Tony Fitzpatrick, said: “We had a very informative presentation and question and answer session with the representatives of Dobbies and developers, JHAG. “The community council confirmed its backing for the scheme and we will be writing a letter of support for the planning application to South Lanarkshire Council. “The proposed development will bring much-needed facilities for the community in our part of East Kilbride.” The land which has been earmarked for the garden centre and supermarket has lain dormant for 23 years. If the planning application is given the go- ahead, developers plan to be ready by Spring 2011. Dobbies director of properties, Stuart Wright, said: “We were keen to give local people the opportunity to find out exactly what we are proposing and for us to find out what their views were of our plans for a new Dobbies Garden World, at Peel Park. “The feedback we received was very positive. Many local residents had visited our stores elsewhere in the west of Scotland and they were very excited about the prospect of a Dobbies Garden World coming to East Kilbride. “People were also very encouraged by the new jobs the development would bring.”
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