Outrage growing over plans for more car parking at the Greensands
Loreburn Community Council is expressing concern over development of the green space
Last updated 9th Nov 2023
Loreburn Community Council has become the latest group to publicly voice concern around the decision to develop the Greensands in Dumfries for car parking.
The addition of extra spaces is part of a wider flood prevention scheme which was approved back in 2020.
Dumfries & Galloway Council approved changes to the phasing of developments within the scheme after Councillor Jim Dempster used his casting vote to decide an split decision with eight votes to motion, eight to amend, and one to abstain.
READ MORE: Concerns voiced over future development of Dumfries Greensands
The council is however making clear that the recent decision was solely about phasing of the development, with no proposed changes to the physical infrastructure agreed on in the initial flood prevention scheme approved by Scottish Ministers.
Regardless, Loreburn Community Council has condemned the movement.
An excerpt from the statement can be read below:
"Loreburn Community Council has criticised the recent decision by Dumfries & Galloway councillors on the Planning Committee to agree that the Greensands should be the site for another car park in Dumfries and said that there are several grounds on which the decision is flawed.
"Community Councillors said that the decision to proceed with a car park has been made despite considerable protests by local individuals as well as the Loreburn Community Council to retain this green public space in the heart of Dumfries. The Greensands is a safe space for both children and older people with almost no vehicles currently accessing the area.
"It questions whether more car park spaces are currently needed in Dumfries. Changes in working practices since the Covid pandemic mean that fewer people want car park spaces. The two multi storey carparks as well as the one on at Brooms Road are never full during the working day."
In reference to the decision which has come under criticism, Dumfries & Galloway Council said:
“The decision of the Planning Applications Committee at its meeting on 28 June 2023, to vary the conditions attached to the deemed planning permission granted by Scottish Minsters when the Scheme was approved, allows the Whitesands Project to be progressed through the commencement of the phased provision of alternative car parking provision at Greensands - an integral element of the Scheme approved by Scottish Ministers in March 2020.
"It is important to highlight that this planning permission does not make any changes to the physical works to be built within the confirmed Scheme, only to the potential timing of delivering the alternative parking in the Greensands area of Dumfries.”