PLANS for eight new homes in Lochgilphead have been given the go-ahead despite seven objections from the public.
The proposal by MacLeod Construction for Phase 10 Baddens, on Meadows Road, involves a mix of three-bedroom houses and two-bedroom cottage-style flats.
But objectors raised concerns about the privacy of the planned development, along with plans for an amenity area including a children’s playpark.
Argyll and Bute Council planning officers said that the effects of the proposal on residents of Cnoc Mhor place had been assessed, with distance between the properties felt to be sufficient.
A separate application for planning permission for six houses on the same site is currently pending consideration by the council.
Responding to the concerns about the amenity area, an officer said: “The area to the north of the site for [the approved planning application] was originally outlined in the application for potential public space and play provision.
“However, this area of the site is not located within the housing allocation or the settlement area of Lochgilphead but instead land designated as a countryside area.
“Furthermore, the proposed sitting of the potential public space and play space is located behind the 13-26 Cnoc Mhor Place and therefore is separated from the site from the area of the site being developed.
“Therefore the area designated for open space and play provision does not sufficiently meet all the above criteria particularly regarding being safety accessible by children and young people independently and being overlooked sufficiently for passive surveillance.
“To address the issues highlighted above the applicant has provided revised plans which incorporate a sufficient open space and play area within the red site line boundary.
“Therefore the decision notice will be conditioned so that the proposed open space and play provision is provided prior to occupation of the dwellinghouses. The proposal therefore meets the requirements of the relevant national and local planning policies.”
The officer added: “The description of the development is ‘Erection of eight dwellinghouses and associated works.’
“Plots 1-4 will comprise of four three-bedroom semi-detached dwellinghouses, plots 5-8 will comprise of four two-bedroom cottage-style flats.
“All the proposed dwellinghouses proposed under [the approved planning application] will be for affordable housing.
“Access to the site will comprise of the creation of four driveways and parking areas for plots 1-4 to serve each dwellinghouse and a parking area to east of the site to serve the cottage flats.”
