Lenzie Moss Compulsory Purchase

East Dunbartonshire Council on 8th December 2008 took action under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to take into their ownership land on Lenzie Moss effective as of 12th January 2009.

Whilst the purchase seems to be benign, many local residents are unaware of the purchase and others concerned for the longterm prospects of the land if the council ever decide that selling public land for more building may be a simple way to balance the books.

The land is described as:

1. that plot of area of ground in the county of Dunbarton, extending to 0.816 hectares or thereby situated at Lenzie Moss and towards the south west of Hawthorn Avenue, Lenzie.
2. that plot or area of ground in the County of Dunbarton, extending to 9.669 hectares or thereby situated at Lenzie Moss adjacent to ground within the Council;s ownership and on or towards the south west of ground owned by Lenzie Rugby Club.
3. That plot or area of ground in the County of Dunbarton, extending to 5.190 hectares or thereby situated at Lenzie Moss and towards the south of Blackthorn Avenue and East of Heather Drive, both in Lenzie.

For further information, please contact Martin Waddell, Solicitor, East Dunbartonshire Council, Tom Johnston House, Civic Way, Kirkintilloch, G66 4TJ Tel: 0141 578 8053, email martin.waddell@eastdunbartonshire.gov.uk

According to Friends of Lenzie Moss: "At the present time, ownership of the site lies variously with East Dunbarton District, Scottish Rail, and Lenzie Rugby Football Club, and the ED District is actively engaged in acquiring (by Compulsory Purchase Orders where necessary) areas not in its ownership, so that the Moss can be designated as a Local Nature Reserve and be properly managed as a single unit."

According to the East Dunbartonshire website: "The Council will support and encourage Lenzie Moss being designated as a local nature reserve and will take such measures as are necessary to achieve this. A draft management scheme has been prepared in anticipation of designation. The Council will seek to acquire, by Compulsory Purchase, that part of Lenzie Moss required to secure Council ownership and designation as a local nature reserve. On completion of acquisition, the Council will undertake environmental improvements in accordance with the draft management scheme and commensurate with nature conservation and community objectives. The support of Scottish Natural Heritage is anticipated in this respect. It is proposed that a Steering Group be set up of all those interested parties with the aim of identifying and implementing the most appropriate proposals for the community as a whole."

By: Mike Haseler