296 homes get go ahead

A HUGE development that will deliver nearly 300 new homes in Heathhall – and help to address the region’s housing emergency – has been approved. Councillors on Wednesday granted planning permission for the Catherinefield Farm project, which will see 266 new affordable homes and a further 30 being built for private sale by developer CCG. The Wheatley Homes South development will feature a Livingwell block providing 41 flats for people aged 55 and over. Livingwell is a Wheatley service which helps older residents live independently for longer by providing personalised support, regular staff presence and a programme of social and wellbeing activities. However, there was strong opposition the development from local residents, with Heathhall Community Council lodging a detailed objection centring around traffic congestion and capacity in local schools. Several objectors attended the committee to express their concerns. Sally Hinchcliffe, convener of Cycling Dumfries, said: “We do not object to the development as such, but want to raise concerns about the lack of active travel connections from this development, particularly for cycling, but also for pedestrians. “Given that this is a substantial amount of housing on a greenfield site, it’s incumbent on the planning system not to permit something that will lock in car dependency, or leave people isolated if they don’t have access to a private car,” Objector Judith Sauberlich, who has lived in Heathhall for 51 years, said: “I fully understand that the land at Catherinefield Farm is earmarked for housing in local development plan two, but my concern is the impact on the local infrastructure – or rather lack of adequate infrastructure – that 296 houses and potentially another 600 cars will cause.” However, the desperate need for new homes locally outweighed all arguments for councillors as they voted to approve the plans.

Meanwhile, case officer Graham Smith shared a breakdown of the properties involved: 49 one-bedroom properties at LivingWell; 107 x two-bedroom houses (range of bungalows, cottage flats); 105 x three-bedroom homes; 33 x four-bedroom houses, and two five-bedroom larger family properties. Julie Williams, representing Wheatley Homes South at the committee, said: “Increasing supply of affordable, fuel-efficient homes has never been more essential in Scotland. “This proposed development has been an allocated site within the local development plan since 2019. The proposal is our commitment to help address a national and local housing emergency. This development will positively contribute to the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in Dumfries, and has been designed thoughtfully following extensive engagement. It will assist Dumfries and Galloway Council’s plans in addressing depopulation.”