East Ayrshire housing development given go-ahead despite mental health concerns

A new housing development in East Ayrshire has been given the go ahead despite objections, including claims that more homes would affect residents’ mental health.

The development of three and four bedroom homes will be built on the north side of Wellwood Street, Muirkirk.

Planners noted that half of the development site is currently unmanaged and a covered with “developing scrub, comprising grey willow, downy birch and hawthorn”.

The project will see 12 semi-detached homes fronting Wellwood Street, a central open space and play area and a further 10 houses on the “northern half” of the site.

A drainage pond, amenity space, planting and seating are also part of the plans.

A number of concerns related to the addition of more people and traffic in a “quiet corner” of the village.

Muirkirk Housing Plan Wellwood Street LDRS

One stated: ”The appeal of Wellwood Street is the unchanged historical layout and housing.

“Wellwood Street in particular is a very quiet corner of the village with an older than average demographic.

“It is the quiet location that has encouraged people previously to buy in the street. This will be ruined by a modern housing estate being built in the very centre of the street and all the associated footfall and traffic this will bring.”

Another objector also brought up the quiet location and said that the development “will have a detrimental impact to our mental health to not only have the upheaval but also the terrifying idea that our quiet street would become a busy through road for new occupants”.

Planners pointed out that Wellwood Street had been developed in a ‘piecemeal’ manner since the late 1800s, and was allocated for housing development in the local development plan.

Another objector claimed that the “every car leaving the estate will look directly into my bedroom windows” as they descend the road.

Planners responded that there “may be that some lights from headlights from cars will be experienced, however this will be intermittent and somewhat transitory”

A similar objection around privacy stated that one of the new houses would oversee bedrooms of an existing home.

Planners pointed out that the house in question would be 65 metres away and that the only issues with privacy were those that already existed on the street where another house was just 20m away.

Objections were also raised about the increase in traffic in an area with a number of elderly residents, inadequate roads and increased noise levels.

Planners replied that Ayrshire Roads Alliance had no objections to the plan on the grounds of traffic and road safety.

Another objector wanted assurances around drainage of a “significantly wet area”.

The report said that the applicants had submitted a drainage strategy outlining their work to address any issues.

Another pointed out that there had been three major burst water mains along the road and claimed that the pipe already needed replacing, with additional homes adding to the pressure on the system.

Planners said that Scottish Water had no objections.

In their conclusion, planners stated: “Existing privacy levels are mostly maintained, and no significantly detrimental impacts on existing amenity are anticipated.

“The site is not in the Conservation Area, and it is not in close proximity to any listed buildings, and is unlikely to have any significant impacts on nature conservation.”

“A new equipped play area is also proposed to add to the existing facilities within the settlement.”