Tyre fitter loses fight to keep 'unattractive' shipping containers

A tyre fitter has lost a fight to keep shipping containers for changing and storing wheels after a Scottish Government reporter branded them “unattractive”.

The mobile tyre fitting business had installed three containers in a former pub car park in Dumbarton Road, Duntocher, Clydebank.

KMC Tyres & Recovery Ltd appealed to the Scottish Government after West Dunbartonshire Council refused permission for the units even though officers recommended approval. But the appeal was unsuccessful.

After a visit to the “residential” site, the government reporter judged the “utilitarian structures appear out of place” in the area and were “unattractive”.

A statement from KMC Tyres’ agent argued that the site was not in a residential area and has mixed uses with a variety of buildings of different styles.

It pointed out the containers are concealed by existing brick walls and located in the corner furthest away from the public footpaths, adding: “Although introducing the containers would have an impact, it would not amount to significant or adverse harm.”

In the appeal decision notice however, the reporter said: “I consider that they are visually harmful, and that is clearly adverse.

“The council officer accepts in his report that shipping containers tend to be more associated with industrial areas, and I regard that as important.

“I accept that this is a convenient location on the A810 road for motorists to stop, but this is not fundamentally a commercial area and the activity would be out of place.”

The reporter also said the containers would be “very obvious features” as neighbouring residents look out from their first-floor flat windows.

A number of residents had objected to the original retrospective planning application lodged with West Dunbartonshire Council.

The reporter determined the appeal in accordance with the local development plan for the area.

By local democracy reporter Sarah Hilley