Go-ahead for 19 new council houses

Nineteen new council houses are to be constructed on an area of open space at Berwick Street in Shawhead.

Councillors on the planning committee gave the go-ahead at their meeting last week for the development of 12 flats, four two-storey houses and three wheelchair-accessible bungalows.

A report noted:“[The] flats will have their principal elevations facing into the proposed development and rear elevation facing Berwick Street; the remaining house types will face into the site and have their rear elevation facing Neidpath Avenue.

“The development layout is arranged around a central access road leading to a series of parking courts; each block will have their own garden amenity ground, dedicated parking and refuse arrangement, [and] the site is connected to the wider footway network.

Eleven representations were received from eight different households, raising issues including road safety and congestion at peak times for neighbouring St Bernard’s and Shawhead primaries.

They also raised issues including the impact of the new development on existing residents and the loss of trees and green space, but the objections were not upheld by planners.

Councillors agreed with planners’assessment that“the proposal represents an acceptable development”and“the loss of green space and trees providing informal play has to be balanced against the council generally meeting its housing requirements”.