A group made up of council officers from Glasgow and a neighbouring authority, community council members, representatives of the landowner, and various agencies and environmental bodies looked into the feasibility of development on 90 hectares beside the River Kelvin.

Plans were submitted by Caledonian Property Investments for a “high quality residential neighbourhood” – which could include 1,000 homes – on a 220-acre site at Blackhill Road late last year.

The study was prompted by a perceived shortfall in housing land supply but the group’s report found that, for the period 2012-24, there is a surplus of land available for all kinds of housing in Glasgow.

“When considered in the context of a surplus in housing land supply, the climate and ecological emergency and the move towards a carbon neutral city, it is concluded that additional housing should not be supported, and that the study area’s green belt designation should be retained,” the study reported.

It concluded: “There is therefore no housing land justification for development in this location at present.”

The study also found that:

• There would be impact on the quality of the landscape setting, although mitigation measures proposed would reduce these impacts to acceptable levels over time.
• The additional car-based traffic generated would start to reverse recent benefits of reduced traffic on Balmore Road and Maryhill Road at peak times, and was likely to impact negatively on the amenity of Possilpark, Ruchill and Hamiltonhill. 
• Proposals for public transport improvements were not considered to be sustainable in the long term, and would have limited impact in the part of the study area closest to Balmore Road.
• The area had relatively poor access to facilities and services, and this would contribute to increased car dependency in this location.

A report updating city councillors added: “The overall conclusion of the study is that, due to the changed housing land supply position, the negative impact of development on traffic and transport infrastructure, and the relative inaccessibility of the location to facilities and services, additional housing development should not be supported in this area. The greenbelt designation is considered to remain appropriate.”

Glasgow City Council and the developer agreed the planning application would not be determined until the study was complete. It will be considered when a decision is made.