A LOCHFOOT woman’s bid to build another house next to her home has passed the first hurdle in planning regulations.
Ms Laurie, who lives in Main Street, was last week granted planning permission in principle by Dumfries and Galloway councillors to construct a new property on an area of hardstanding behind her cottage.
Two neighbours who live in Moat Drive had lodged objections with the council, highlighting the flood risk as well as issues around overshadowing, and loss of light.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also opposed the proposal due to the site being at risk of flooding with its proximity to Lochfoot Burn and Lochrutton Loch.
The matter was discussed at the council’s planning committee last Wednesday. Council planning officer Rachel Lightfoot said: “The application is made in principle only therefore, should it be successful, the consideration of impacts relating to details such as siting, design, and relationship to existing houses would be considered at that point.
“With regards to the issue of flooding, the application is supported by a flood risk assessment, which has been consulted on by both the flood risk management team and SEPA.
“Following further information, the flood risk management team have withdrawn their objections, while SEPA requested further technical information.
“On balance, it is considered reasonable to take the response of the flood risk management team as being the body with the greatest local knowledge.
“The recommendation is therefore to approve subject of the referral of the application to ministers to allow their consideration due to the outstanding SEPA objection.”
Nith Councillor John Campbell proposed the approval of planning permission, which was agreed by other councillors.
As the applicant only sought planning permission in principle, no detailed designs have been put forward yet.
As SEPA – a Scottish Government key agency – raised an objection, the next hurdle for planning approval lies with the Scottish Government. The matter will now be passed onto ministers to have the final say.
