CAMPAIGNERS have urged East Renfrewshire Council to “come clean” on plans for a controversial £112million housing development.

Advance Construction submitted proposals in 2017 to build 450 homes at Braidbar Quarry, in Giffnock.

In December 2018, the Barrhead News revealed that safety tests were being carried out on the site to assess its suitability.

However, local people say they have heard nothing from East Renfrewshire Council or Lanarkshire-based Advance Construction since then.

A survey by Giffnock Community Council last year found that 97 per cent of people were opposed to plans to fill in Braidbar and turn it into homes.

Former community council chairman Jack Powell said the results “show clearly” that there is no local support for plans to develop the quarry as a housing estate.

He is now calling for council chiefs to provide an update to local residents.

Mr Powell said: “The council need to tell us what their plans are for the site, as we have heard nothing from them for at least two years.

“Our roads are struggling to cope with normal volumes of traffic but these homes would bring in more than 1,000 new residents.

“This increase in population will overstretch our schools, medical facilities and social care provision

“We aren’t against the quarry being cleaned up. What we don’t want is the housing development.”

Giffnock residents also fear the new housing would have a major impact on the area’s wildlife, which includes badgers and bats.

Paul Drury, who unsuccessfully stood for election to East Renfrewshire Council in 2017 in protest over the plans for Braidbar, said: “If nothing has happened in two years, the council now have a duty to call this whole thing off, to give peace of mind to local council tax payers.”

Braidbar Quarry was abandoned a century ago, leaving behind massive subterranean caverns. It was previously mined for its distinctive sandstone.

A bid in 2008 by another developer to clean up the quarry and build houses was thrown out by the Scottish Government.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The remediation of the former Braidbar Quarry site has long been a priority for the council and has been identified since 2015 as a longer term development opportunity in our Local Development Plan.

“A potential agreement with Advance Construction is still being considered and any progress will be reported back to councillors.”