Planning Appeal - March 2002

A message from our Convenor

Thursday 28th March 2002

Dear SMAG member

We have now finished the second public inquiry into the fate of the Springfield Mill site. The would-be developer clearly spent a lot of money on this one, and we faced an array of professional opinions.

On your behalf, I'd like to thank Tim Tuke, Alison Hulme, Joan Acton and Jim Ratter for the considerable time they spent carefully considering and presenting our side. Also, thanks to Bill Dobson, Nigel McGlasson, Bill Carmichael & all of you who came along to demonstrate local interest!

The Reporter, who was assigned to the case by the Scottish Executive, has to now go away and weigh up all the arguments. As you probably know, the Reporter for the previous inquiry came down in favour of a wildlife site. I am optimistic once more, but he has to consider a number of issues.

We shall find out in about 3 months. I think it will be a good time to have our next AGM. So look out for the next update, and keep your fingers crossed. We will hopefully need to use the occasion to begin our next phase of planning!

Best Wishes,

Pete Cain SMAG Convenor

The background picture shows the Reporter and representatives of the parties during the site visit.