Killearn house plan rejected

Plans to build a house overlooking the Blane Water in Killearn have been refused by Stirling Council planners.

Mr M Sword submitted an application for a house for retirement of a viable farm holding at land 230 metres south west of Essangal Cottage.

However, council planners said the proposals failed to meet the necessary criteria.

The proposed house was designed as two separate pitched roof structures (a two storey and a single storey) linked by a flat roofed structure. The two storey structure was to accommodate a drawing room, study, WC and bedroom with ensuite on the ground floor with three bedrooms, a dressing room, ensuite and bathroom on the first floor. The principal bedroom on the first floor included a wraparound balcony.

The single storey structure was to accommodate an open-plan living room/kitchen/dining area, utility room, boot room with shower and WC as well as some floor to ceiling glazing.

In their decision, the planners said: “The applicant was provided with the opportunity to submit any additional information that could support the view that the farm business had been the main source of income of the retirees. Since the information supplied did not demonstrate the viability of the holding and business over the last few years nor with regard to the medium to long-term viability of the farm it was not considered that there was sufficient evidence to support the proposal. It is considered that the proposal has failed to demonstrate that a new house at this site is required for an applicant who has a genuine need to be housed in the vicinity for agriculture. Furthermore, it is considered that the proposal has failed to demonstrate that the house is required for the retirement succession of a viable farm holding.

“It is recognised that this dwelling is of a substantial scale however, since this is a relatively isolated plot with some screening from public vantage points, it is not considered that the scale is inappropriate.”