Approval for flats despite objection from the NHS
A 21-flat development in Hamilton has been given the green light despite an objection from NHS Lanarkshire.
Two houses are set to be demolished as part of the plans by Clyde Valley Housing Association for the site next to Douglas Street Community Health Clinic.
The health board had complained that the four-storey flats could cause disruption to the clinic and patients during development and that it would cause overlooking and a loss of privacy for the 24-hour clinic once complete.
A number of councillors on the planning committee also had concerns that there wasn’t enough parking spaces for the flats but ultimately decided to approve the development at a virtual meeting of the committee by 12 votes to nine on Tuesday, June 23.
Initial plans would have seen 24 flats across four floors but these were altered to reduce the number of flats with half of the fourth storey replaced by a roof terrace.
The completed development will see 11 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom flats in a block with 19 parking spaces, cycle and bin storage to the rear and garden space at the front.
South Lanarkshire Council’s roads department were initially concerned with the level of parking provision but did not object after revised plans found space for an additional two spaces.
In a letter of objection, NHS Lanarkshire’s head of property services Scott Anderson said: “On behalf of NHS Lanarkshire I object to the revised planning application for the proposed demolition of two houses and erection of a 21 unit residential development.
“The proposed development will overlook a building in which healthcare services are provided. A number of the proposed units have windows overlooking the neighbouring NHS building, and the proposed roof terrace and this will have a significant, detrimental impact on patient privacy. NHS Lanarkshire has concerns over the planned parking provision at the development, and the impact a development of this scale would have on the parking provision in the area.
“The current car parking provision in the area already struggles to meet demand, is extremely busy and there is an existing problem with non-service users using our car park at the neighbouring NHS Lanarkshire building. The proposed parking ratio is disproportionately low in this area and would almost certainly impact on patient and disabled parking and access to the healthcare services provided at our building.”
In a report to the committee, Michael Mcglynn, executive director for community and enterprise, felt the proposal “accords with the aims of the relevant policies and guidance”.
He added: “This application proposes the demolition of a semi-detached residential building and, thereafter, the erection of a flatted residential development, with associated parking and amenity space within an established urban area in Hamilton.
“The proposed development is being developed on behalf of the Clyde Valley Housing Association.
“The main determining issues, therefore, in the assessment of this application are whether the proposed development is in compliance with local plan policy and its impact on the amenity of adjacent properties and on the local road network.”
In relation to concerns of over looking and loss of privacy, he said: “Given the relationship of the proposed building with existing residential properties, it is considered that any impact in this regard would not be significant and not to a level that would justify the refusal of the application on these grounds.
“In terms of any potential impact on the adjacent medical centre, is it is considered that, through the redesign of the accommodation within the proposed building to reduce any overlooking from habitable rooms, the applicant has minimised any potential for overlooking.”