The Milngavie Hub consultation responses have not yet been published and a formal public decision has not yet been taken by EDC committee. However the Local Development Plan 2 reads as if a decision has already been made. The CEC is very much absent from LDP2 and it appears as if the scene is being set for its closure.
If you feel strongly about the future of this facility please take 30 mins to have a look at what is (and isn't in the plan) and share your views with EDC. The number of responses received from different addresses will add to the weight of each issue raised.
EDC Consultation page is here: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/proposed-local-development-plan-2
To make it easier, here are a few things to look out for in each of the relevant documents. (We may have missed things so if you notice anything else please get in touch via the Bearsden and Milngavie Community Facilities Users Association cfua.bm@gmail.com ):
Interactive Map - if you zoom in on the Interactive Map you will notice that the CEC is not marked as a community facility. However the Town Hall is marked clearly as Milngavie Community Hub. This is premature as we are assured by Cllr Jim Goodall that this decision has not been taken by committee. It is reassuring to see the CEC pond marked as a biodiversity area area and, although it is hard to tell, it appears that the Stalled Spaces play area (used by Time Out Club) is marked as native woodland. The black line around the site is a concern. It is not clear if this has been drawn to highlight this area as a potential development site. Also - it is not clear why a strategic green network has been drawn running through the site which seems to link to a bridge over the river that doesn't exist. This may be a mistake but needs to be highlighted. The easterly footpath (the one with the streetlights) seems to be missing.
LDP 2 Document - This is a long document - the relevant sections are below:
page 103 - It is reassuring to see the Community Library and Education Centre listed here as a Community Facility
page 104 the CEC is absent from the map and is not marked as a Community Facility. The map shows the Town Hall site as Milngavie Community Hub, which gives the impression that a decision has been made on this issue without consideration of the consultation responses submitted previously.
page 105 - the commitment to "upgrade existing access to ....the current Library and Education Centre " is welcome although the description as "current" hints at the fragile nature of its existence.
page 106 - there is a helpful commitment here to "Work with the local community to agree potential improvements at Lennox Park and establish how it could play a greater role in delivering economic benefit for Milngavie." I suggest there should be an addition of "Work with the local community to agree potential improvements at and a sustainable future for the Community Education Centre site and establish how it could play a greater role in delivering economic benefit for Milngavie".
page 109 - GN5 and GN6 (Tourism and the West Highland Way) - It is worth noting that the CEC site may well be ideally situated for this and could form part of its sustainable future.
page 116 - the map on page 116 does not show the pond marked as a biodiversity area (although it is shown as this on the interactive map). It is also hard to see whether the woodland glen (Stalled Spaces) play area used by Time Out Club is included in the area marked as woodland. This is an important asset and should be highlighted as such.
page 169 - Policy 13 sets out the arrangements for closing facilities. Suggest addition of commitment to " to engage with facility users and local community in line with the National Standards for Community Engagement as part of the process and to to make full use options under the Community Empowerment Act to find sustainable solutions.
Proposed Delivery Programme - (scroll down to Policy 6) the" ANNOTATED MAP/PHOTOS OF KEY PROJECTS & ASSETS SHOWN BELOW, WITH DETAILS OF RECENT PROGRESS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS" referred to is not in the document (couldn't find this elsewhere on the site). Milngavie Community Hub is listed first as a project but there is no progress update or actions noted as per the heading.
The comments above are limited to the issues affecting the CEC - there are many other elements of LDP 2, which may be of interest to you.
If you feel strongly about any of this please use this Representation Form (Word) to share your views and email your response development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk and copy in the Bearsden and Milngavie Community Facilities Users Association at cfua.bm@gmail.com . If you want to inform Milngavie Community Council of your views please also copy your response to mccconsultations@gmail.com.
Many thanks for your support.