THE COMMUNITY’S needs should be carefully considered before decisions are made on proposals for the Philips factory.

An application for new housing is likely to be made by a developer.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark McGeever contacted them to call for discussions with Hamilton West and Earnock’s elected councillors, people who live in the area, and both the Earnock Residents Association and Hillhouse Community Council.

Mark said: “The factory was part of the community for a long time and there was real sadness at its loss.

“I think most people would like to see a similar company move in, but there is always a concern a vacant industrial site becomes a magnet for anti-social behaviour and a target for criminals who set fires.

“If housing is the site’s best possible future then developers and planners must look at how proposals will impact Earnock, Hillhouse, Udston and West Craigs.

“This is a great area to live and people need houses, but things like traffic flow and demand on local services must be properly thought-out from the start.”