The Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Milgnavie and Clydebank, Pam Gosal, has raised her concerns with the LDP2 and the Historic Environment Designations Review and de-designation of the Mains, Milngavie area.
In a letter to East Dunbartonshire Council’s Chief Executive Officer, the prospective MSP raises three issues with the local authority regarding their consultation of plans to review which spaces are designated conservation areas and protected townscape areas.
Firstly, Mrs Gosal raised the issue of timing of the consultation. LDP2 consultation finished at 5pm 15th January 2021 and the Historic Environment Designations Review consultation started 15th January 2021, showing a clear overlap of consultation.
Secondly, the Scottish Conservative hopeful was concerned about the impact of COVID as she’s argued this has impacted the ability of local residents to ensure their voices are heard without physical consultations, outreach meetings and community engagement.
Lastly, Mrs Gosal is worried that the LDP2 consultation and the Historic Environment Designations review consultations have been launched on the same day. In her letter with the CEO of East Dunbartonshire Council she highlights how local residents may feel “hoodwinked” by the confusing nature of the consultation.
Pam Gosal, Scottish Conservative candidate for Milngavie and Clydebank, commented:
“Milngavie is blessed with amazing greenspaces and our historic town centre, it’s part of the reason that I and so many others love living in the area. If the council is considering a major review of how these spaces are designated, then it’s crucial that local residents are put at the heart of the consultation and that their voices are heard.
“The timing of this review and the fact that East Dunbartonshire Council has launched two reviews at the same time will make it more difficult for stakeholders and residents to have input into the process and the COVID pandemic only makes this more difficult.
“I’ve spoken to people in Milngavie who feel hoodwinked by how the process is unfolding. The local authority has to reflect carefully about how it proceeds to ensure that local residents aren’t left out of this process and we can make sure that Milngavie stays one of the best places in Scotland for families to live.”