Houses approved, but with £10k extra payment

A GLENLUCE man has been granted planning permission in principle to build two new houses in the village – but will have to contribute nearly £10,000 towards local education provision.

Developer Kenneth McKinstry was given the green light by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning department last Thursday to construct two new houses on agricultural land to the rear of Bankfield Farm.

Councillors approved it despite objections from neighbours at the location.

However, they stipulated that the full designs will have to come back to them for full approval to ensure they meet the single storey conditions.

At the meeting, planning case officer Rachel Lightfoot said: “Whilst the application is for two dwellings, there have recently been two other dwellings approved on the site.

“In this instance, policy requires that dwellings resulting in three or more units may be required to contribute to education (in the area).

“In this case, two units contained within the current application and the two units already permitted will require an education contribution to be made, which is £9597.68.”

She confirmed this is considered acceptable by the applicant.

The planning officer also underlined that the location is suitable, and that it’s adjacent to land already earmarked for a residential development.

Objector Dean Thomson joined the meeting online and told councillors his concerns about overlooking and privacy into his property. He also raised issues around road safety on the single track road.

He said: “There’s only about 380m of road to these proposed properties with no pavement, no lighting, and no provision for pedestrians.”

He added: “I think it conflicts with the national planning framework and local development plan.

“It’s increasing reliance on vehicles and introducing additional traffic on a road that’s fairly sub-standard.

“We’ve had reports saying the road is okay, but if you come here at school time and go down to see that junction, I imagine most of you would disagree.”

Edwin Adamson, agent for the applicant, explained that a previous application for six glamping pods on the site was withdrawn by his client because he listened to concerns from neighbours.

He revealed Mr McKinstry is a member of the community council and “takes the views of local residents very seriously”. He hoped that replacing the pods proposal with two permanent homes would have been more reasonable.

Mr Adamson said: “It’s disappointing that we are still receiving such a level of objection.

“The applicant is a very experienced developer, building some 25 houses in and around the area over the last 25 years.”

After hearing both sides, it was passed by the committee.