Double house plan upsets villagers

A GROUP of residents in Kippford are opposing the proposed development of two new houses in their area. Seven locals in the village have written to Dumfries and Galloway Council objecting to planning permission being granted for the properties. They are worried about a loss of privacy, too many trees being felled, road safety, and the negative effect the development could have on wildlife in the area. Applicants Mr and Mrs A Reid, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, are seeking planning permission in principle to build a two storey house and one-and-three-quarters storey home on grassland at The Warren. They also intend on constructing a detached garage with the two-storey house, and creating eight parking spaces in total. Council planning case officer Claire Eckstein is recommending approval subject to conditions. In her report, due to be presented to councillors at Wednesday’s planning committee, the case officer wrote: “The plots are large and the proposed dwellinghouses and garage are not considered to constitute overdevelopment of the site. “The representors have raised about concerns the proposed houses being greater than one-and-a-half storeys. Whilst it is acknowledged that one-and-a-half storeys may have been identified in planning permission in principle report as a possible solution, there was no limitation on height through conditions attached to the resultant planning permission in principle. “The agent has provided a further cross-section indicating the roof ridge level height for plot two is no higher than plot one, which is one-and-a-half storeys. “Furthermore, the roof heights are reduced to single storey closer to the boundary and given the scale and design of surrounding properties the proposed properties are considered acceptable to the location.” Seven objections from four neighbouring addresses were lodged with the council. The locals shared concerns about overlooking/loss of privacy, with one describing the proposed two-storey house as “imposing and intimidating”. The objectors expressed worries over visibility on roads and argued that the number of trees earmarked for removal in the current application is now “significantly higher” than originally expected. One resident wrote: “(I was) disappointed to note factual inaccuracies in the Biodiversity Statement which states ‘no evidence of either bat or red squirrel species in the development area’. “I wish to advise you that both species have been evident on the site long term, as well as badgers, water voles, newts, both green and greater spotted woodpeckers and owls.” Councillors will weigh up all arguments at the planning committee this Wednesday morning before making a decision.