Thumbs-up for homes

Nine objections lodged

Controversial plans for 42 homes in Ferniegair were approved by councillors this week.

Applicant Clyde Valley Housing Association/wilson Developments wish to build 25 flats and 16 terraced houses on a 0.9 hectare site on the village’s Carlisle Road.

The scheme was described by officials as a “small development of twobedroom flats and threebedroom terraced houses which are considered as affordable homes.”

Nine objections to the proposal were lodged with planners. One described Ferniegair as ‘overcrowded’ with ‘insufficient amenities.’ It also pointed out that there was no shop, nursery or school and the plans would create ‘absolute disruption to the community.’

But South Lanarkshire Council planning chief Michael Mcglynn stressed that the site was part of a larger housing plan within the Ferniegair Community Growth Area. As a result existing infrastructure, he said, had been assessed and developer contributions requested for all private houses built in the area. He added: “This will contribute to additional community and educational facilities and road upgrades.”

Other objections received included loss of wildlife, road safety and traffic levels, housing density and loss of privacy for existing residents.

However, Mr Mcglynn stated that the applicant would be required to submit a habitat survey as a condition of planning consent and implement any recommendations.

He also said that no access or road safety issues had been raised by the authority’s Roads and Transportation Services, and Environmental Services had made no adverse comments about noise.

Commenting on housing density and privacy, he pointed out: “The proposed buildings are positioned [in such a way] that they comply with the minimum 20 metres distance required between directly facing habitable windows which ensures that there will be no adverse impact to those properties in terms of overshadowing or loss of privacy.

“The proposed layout complies with the guidance contained within the council’s residential design guide.

“It is considered that the proposal does not represent over-development of the site and is in keeping with development in the surrounding area.”