Go-ahead for new homes

PLANS to build 35 homes in Barrhead have been approved by the council despite concerns raised by neighbours.

East Renfrewshire planners decided AS Homes Scotland’s proposals to transform land to the rear of Dealston Road can go ahead.

There were five objections to the development, with nearby residents claiming they would lose daylight and privacy.

They fear their “privacy will be comprised” by the new homes.

But a council report found: “Overall, the proposal maintains adequate distances between opposing windows of existing neighbouring properties.”

It states there would be “notable exceptions” with some plots but they “do not result in directly opposing windows and therefore raise no significant loss of privacy”.

“The area is residential in nature and there will be limited privacy with regard to overlooking of garden areas, particularly from upper floor windows,” the report adds.

“The proposal will not significantly exacerbate the current situation.”

Some plots could cause overshadowing, the report states, but this is “unlikely to be significant” and in some cases “is likely to be limited to the evening during the summer months”.

There will be nine detached, 14 semi-detached and 12 two-storey terrace homes and the site layout will form a “pan handle” – with an open space in the centre.

Plans to develop the former industrial site had previously been approved but a new application was required as the type and number of houses had been changed.

The council report states: “Given the surrounding area is predominantly residential, it is considered that the proposal will not have an adverse impact on the character of the area.”

AS Homes is required to provide 8.75 affordable houses on the site. Eight units will be built, and a sum paid to the council to cover the shortfall.

The council’s environmental health team highlighted the “possibility of a number of contamination issues” on the land and a remediation plan is required.

Work cannot begin until plans to deal with potential contamination are approved by the council.