Villagers speak out on objections

The village of Amisfield is split over the wedding venue plans.

Twenty-four letters of objection were submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council, which were primarily from nearby residents in Amisfield, but also from individuals as far away as Surrey and Stockport.

Meanwhile, the council received 15 letters in support of the plans by the Johnstone family.

Malk Isherwood, a local resident and parish councillor, raised objections at the planning committee on behalf of numerous residents.

He said:“These lanes are wholly unsuitable for what this proposal will bring. It will at times be deadlock and chaos.”

He also argued that families who use these narrow, singlewidth country lanes will fear for their safety due to the increased traffic.

He added:“We are also the ones feeling let down by one of our locally elected councillors, who should represent us all.

“There is a moral obligation to declare personal connections and conflicts of interest, maybe even financial gain.

“Who knows with applications such as this?

“Because of the local consequences, simply making money and profiteering should not be the overriding reason for this going ahead.”

Meanwhile, a statement was read out in support of the wedding venue plans by Amanda Paterson, whose family have been neighbours with the Johnstone family for several generations.

She referred to the family being very generous to Amisfield, donating the village hall, land for the village school to be expanded and for a play park to be built.

Mrs Paterson continued:“The wedding venue will give many young people in our parish the opportunity to work at the weddings.

“Sadly, due to poor rural transport infrastructure, it is not possible for our young people to obtain even weekend work.

“With regard to this planning application, it gives the Johnstone family an opportunity to raise important finance to continue to look after and maintain such a historic property for many years to come for the enjoyment of local families.”