Grimaldi Developments had applied to North Lanarkshire Council seeking the go-ahead for the construction of up to 73 houses and related infrastructure at a three-hectare site on Coltness Avenue.

A report from the council’s planning officials recommended rejecting the proposals, on the grounds that this was a significant expansion of the village which contravened various local policies, especially as the site was not zoned for housing.

At a recent planning committee meeting, Councillor Margaret Hughes supported the application, saying that the local school was currently well under capacity and that the council had spent around PS1m on improving it.

“That school has had a lot of money spent on it to make it safe for the children of Allanton,” she said, adding that she had received emails from people who supported the application including Allanton Residents’ Association.

Following further discussion, the planning committee unanimously agreed to grant the application, although first a legal agreement will need to be drawn up to determine the applicant’s financial contribution towards local education services.