Public backing for garden centre at Peel Park

Mar 3 2010

MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform a derelict site in East Kilbride has been given overwhelming support by the public.

On Friday, Dobbies lodged a detailed planning application with South Lanarkshire Council to build one of their popular Garden World centres, at Peel Park.

The proposal is part of a wider masterplan for the area as developers, JHAG Ltd have also lodged an application in principle to build an hotel, supermarket, petrol station and two drive-thru restaurants on the same 23-hectares site.

Hundreds of jobs will be created if the ambitious plans get the go-ahead, which would mean a £50 million investment in East Kilbride.

Other companies will also benefit from the proposed garden centre, as Dobbies bosses 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.

Dobbies recently held an exhibition in a local hotel to give the public an opportunity to find out about the development proposals and to ask questions of company representatives.

More than 80 people attended the exhibition and were asked to complete a questionnaire on the proposals.

Of those who returned the questionnaire, a massive 91 per cent said they were very supportive of a Dobbies Garden World being built at Peel Park.

The questionnaire also gave people the chance to add their own views about the development and their 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 their 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 empty for many years and it’s good that something positive will be happening in that area.”

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.

“Local people were also very encouraged by the new jobs the development would bring.”