Houseok’d despitebeing ingreenbelt

Plans for a new house on the site of a former tearoom in Blanefield have been backed despite concerns being raised by local community councillors.

Stirling Council planners have conditionally approved an application by Stuart Fraser for a new home in garden ground at Carbeth Cottage.

Strathblane Community Council had raised concerns about the location of the site within greenbelt and that it could set a dangerous precedent for similar types of applications.

However, in their decision, Stirling Council planners said: “Each planning application is assessed on its own merits.

“The site to the south, also within the applicant’s ownership but not part of this application site, is being redeveloped and is the subject of a number of planning applications.

“The proposal involves the erection of a two-storey building which will comprise 2/3 bedrooms. The application site is to the west of Blanefield, approximately 3km outwith the village settlement boundary and situated within the Countryside Policy Area, Green Belt and the Strathblane and Blanefield Carbeth Conservation Area.

“The site sits to the north of what was previously the Carbeth Inn, and the north west of the Carbeth Huts. Immediately to the south, is a cottage, which has recently been renovated. Wells, a holiday lodge sits to the east. The application site was previously occupied by a tearoom, although this was demolished some time ago.”

The planners said the proposal didn’t meet any of the policy exceptions for greenbelt development, but that it had an extensive planning history, which was a consideration in their determination.

They added: “Permission was granted most recently for two holiday lets within a building of a broadly similar design and footprint. This permission lapsed [in November 2021]. Taking this planning history into account it is considered that the principle of a new house within the countryside has been established on the site.

“It is not considered that the proposal for one dwelling would erode the separate identity of either [Milngavie or Strathblane] settlement nor the setting of Strathblane itself. The proposal would not therefore undermine the core role and function of the greenbelt.”