Concern over plans for farm workers’ house
Conditional approval to build a new house on a former tennis court in Fintry has been renewed despite some concerns being raised.
The original application by Mr and Mrs Alexander Nicolson to develop the land 85 metres east of Mullanhead Cottage in the village was lodged and granted in 2016, however consent was due to run out.
The proposed house would be for use by a farm worker/manager, with the applicants said to farm extensive lands at Meikle Camoquhill and Claylands, with further farmland at Mullanhead Estate also having been recently purchased.
In their decision, Stirling Council planners said: “The site is a former tennis court that is now overgrown with vegetation and shrubs. It is within the countryside and the estate lands with buildings are located to the north, south, east and west of the site. It is to be accessed via the existing estate roads that lead out onto the main B 818 Fintry Road.
“The applicant’s agent continues to emphasise that, in order to successfully and safely manage the estates agricultural enterprise there is a requirement for additional workforce, who require to be housed in suitable accommodation on the Mullanhead Estate land. All of the houses available within the estate are either occupied or not suitable for the estate workers’ requirements.
“The farm enterprise is considerable involving 11 occupied houses. Much of the accommodation is not suitable for a family and it is an increase of family accommodation which is required.
“An accompanying agricultural labour requirement report justifies the need for at least 28 labour units for the full farm enterprise.
“Since the previous house approval, finance within the business has been directed to ensuring the business is viable and functions efficiently, which has required the construction of new barns at a considerable cost to the enterprise.
The outlay of this finance has delayed funding for the house and is the main reason why it has not been built to date. The applicants are now in a financial position to build the house.
“Mr and Mrs Nicolson, who currently reside at Mullanhead, would move into the new and smaller house, the subject of this current application, which would then allow their son Alastair and his family to occupy Mullanhead, freeing up the Claylands Farmhouse for their head dairyman and family who currently reside in Balfron.
The existing cottage at South Lodge will then be allocated to another key member of staff who is responsible for feeding the cattle and their general welfare.”
One contributor, however, took the chance to comment saying they had not been notified of the proposal first time round. They asked that the renewal application be considered completely afresh.
They said the house was not essential for the running of the estate because there were a number of existing properties and that it would adversely impact on nearby property at Parkhall.
Another concern was that the existing road infrastructure would be unable to take the extra traffic and construction vehicles could cause road safey issues. Displacement of wildlife and impact on listed structures including a dovecot 100 metres from the site were also raised.
However, the planners said roads officials had had no objections subject to previous conditions being included, adding: “The proposed site sits some distance from Parkhall and is well screened by existing mature tree growth.
“The application is in principle and as part of any detailed design information will need to be submitted demonstrating how the house can be built without adverse impact upon flora and fauna. Subject to a successful design, it will not adversely impact upon the character or setting of any listed buildings or heritage structures.
“It is agreed the proposed house is essential and is to be used for the purposes of housing a person who has a genuine need to be housed in the vicinity for agriculture and there will be a condition restricting the occupancy of the house to such a person or a dependant of such.”