Plans approved to build houses at road junction in Argyll and Bute despite objections

Council chiefs have approved plans for five new houses to be built at a Kilcreggan road junction – despite six objections.

KW Contracts’ proposal relates to a site at a junction of the B833 and the unclassified Portkil Road, and also includes a double garage and a stables block.

One of the houses will contain five bedrooms, while the other four have three each.

Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council were among the parties who objected.

Concerns were raised that the site was on a blind corner of the road, but an Argyll and Bute Council official said that a roads engineer had raised no objections.

In a report on the handling of the application, the same official also responded to fears about the number of other sites earmarked for housing in the area, before granting planning permission.

The officer said in a handling report: “As well as allocated housing sites, which are generally medium to large in scale, development is also acceptable on non-allocated (or ‘windfall’ sites) to meet housing demand.

“The fact this site is not specifically allocated does not preclude it from being considered for housing in relation to all relevant local plan policy.

“It is considered that the proposal will result in a small-scale and well-defined building group within otherwise open countryside typical of the wider landscape development pattern of scattered steadings within the countryside.

“Officers are satisfied that the proposal will not materially erode the open gap between the settlements of Rosneath and Kilcreggan.”

They added: “It is noted that the recommendation that the application for approval is in conflict with the objection received from the community council and it is considered important to address the issues raised.

“It is considered that this proposed small-scale development within an appropriate site in the countryside does respond to the climate change emergency as this proposal is small-scale and will have negligible impact upon peat resources, high quality agricultural land, woodland or biodiversity.

“The community council has submitted that the housing allocations in the LDP (local development plan) are adequate to serve local housing needs and that four-bedroom executive housing is not appropriate to local needs.

“This may be, however the LDP also allows for housing to be provided in the form of un-allocated, or ‘windfall’ sites throughout the plan period, and these contribute to housing land supply.

“LDP policy gives encouragement to this type of development and indicates that it should be supported unless it will result in materially adverse impacts.

“The proposal accords with LDP policy, and as such, the applicants do not seek to demonstrate an exceptional case such as providing community benefit, social housing or any particular housing type or mix.

“These matters therefore cannot warrant a departure from the general presumption in favour of the proposed development.

“Having regard to all material planning considerations, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and should be supported subject to relevant, necessary, appropriate and reasonable planning conditions.”