Planners reject bid for home on green space land
Plans to build a bungalow on a grass area in a Bishopton street have been refused for a second time.
Renfrewshire Council’s Local Review Body took the decision to uphold a planning officer’s decision to refuse consent for the development of a dwelling house on open space in Rossland Crescent this week.
The original application, which was made at the end of last year, sought planning permission in principle to build a “1 to 1.5 storey bungalow, with finishes in keeping with the surrounding area” on the land.
However, it was met with eight objections, which expressed serious concern about the plans.
Various points were raised, such as claims the land is used by dog walkers and children, as well as the potential of increased traffic in the street.
One letter of objection said: “Historic use of this land has always been recreational for the children of the crescent and surrounding areas, and is regularly used by children and dog walkers.”
It continued: “Currently in Bishopton, there is a huge development of housing in Dargavel, 3,000 plus houses on already agreed development plans with the council, why would there be any need to build further housing on a green belt part of a residential area?
“It is essentially an extension of the residents’ recreational area, not suitable for houses.
“We cannot understand how a planning application for this type could be passed considering the enormous amount of separate development in Bishopton.”
Renfrewshire Council made a decision to refuse the application, informing the applicant in March of this year.
Its reasons were explained in a report, which said: “The proposed development will result in the loss of part of an area of recreation and amenity open space which provides an outlook to neighbouring properties, and is an intrinsic part of the residential environment in which it is located.
“The loss of part of this open space will have a detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, and will erode value of the open space as a recreational resource.
“The loss of open space cannot be compensated for by alternative provision in another location.”
A review of the initial decision was heard on Tuesday, at which councillors decided to stick by the planning officer’s original assessment.
Councillor Natalie Don, who represents Bishopton, said: “Many residents had contacted me directly about this application when it first arose and it was also discussed at several Bishopton Community Council meetings so I was aware of the strength of feeling around the matter.
“Our green spaces are extremely important and it was clear that this development wasn’t right for this space.
“I know this particular area is very important to the surrounding residents so as a member of the Local Review Body which heard this appeal I was pleased that, based on the information provided, councillors chose to uphold officers original decision to refuse planning consent for development of housing on this land.”