GLASGOW’S reputation as a dear green place is due to far more than the city’s parks. The surrounding countryside, extending into neighbouring regions, has long been cherished by Glasgow’s communities.

The countryside of Stepps, where I live, is a treasured amenity for the whole local community. Our community believes that the countryside contributes directly to the health and wellbeing of the whole community. Many people choose to take exercise in this open countryside, away from pollution and in preference to expensive, air-conditioned gyms.

This green environment lifts our spirits every day, positively affecting the mental health and wellbeing of our community.

I am therefore dismayed that our greenbelt is increasingly under frequent and severe threat.

Developers and landowners are waging war with communities and councils as they seek out easy opportunities to turn pristine countryside into cash-generating housing, even where there is no identified need. These developers ignore derelict brownfield sites and prey on greenbelt as an easy target.

I write as a community councillor for Stepps and district where, yet again, we are faced with multiple large-scale planning applications that are contrary to the local plan.

This long-standing, frustrating battle has taken a worrying turn with regard to both Scottish Government policy and community engagement, affecting not only my own community in Stepps but also many other communities in similar positions.

A recent planning application for large-scale housing on Stepps greenbelt was rejected by North Lanarkshire council. The community and the community council strongly supported this decision.

There were many reasons for the planning application to be rejected: it is contrary to the local plan; the council has demonstrated that there is no housing supply shortage in the area; and schools and infrastructure are already at capacity. However, the developers appealed to the Scottish Government and the appointed Reporter recommended that North Lanarkshire council’s decision be overturned.

This Reporter, who carried the power to affect the lives of our entire community, did not take the time to meet with the community council, the schools, the authority or any of the community and dismissed all of our objections.

This issue is not “nimbyism”; there is no shortfall in housing supply and community resources including schools are already at capacity.

It doesn’t only affect Stepps. Neighbouring areas of Millerston and Woodhall and Faskine are also fighting similar large-scale planning applications.

The developers and landowners come with teams of lawyers, knowing that communities cannot afford Court of Session legal fees for appeals.

But our communities are fighting back.

Many of our MSPs have promised to help. Indeed, the community of Woodhall and Faskine has secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow regarding the proposed development of land between Calderbank and Carnbroe.

The Scottish Government’s planning website states: “It is not the Scottish Government’s role or intention to micro-manage planning authority decision-making.

“Scottish ministers have a general power to intervene in the determination of a planning application only where it appears there may be some matter of genuine national interest at stake.

“In practice, ministers will exercise this power very sparingly, recognising and respecting the important role of local authorities in making decisions on the future development of their areas.’

I would urge all of our MSPs to read that statement before the Parliamentary debate and to act to protect the precious greenbelt for our communities and for future generations.

Dr Carol Graham,

22 West Avenue,

Stepps.