An application to build over 30 new homes in Meigle is set to be approved despite opposition from locals.
Hadden Homes has applied to build 33 houses on a site on Ardler Road next to Victory Park designated for just 20 in the council’s adopted local development plan (LDP).
The local authority has suggested the site’s capacity be upped to anywhere between 23 and 36 in the new proposed LDP2 but this has still to be examined by the Scottish Government and the council’s development plan team don’t expect that document will be adopted until at least July next year.
And residents have raised all sorts of concerns about the proposed development’s potential impact on the village saying it could enhance the risk of flooding in the area, result in the loss of a core path, add to congestion on local roads and that it does not comply with the council’s current LDP.
Over a dozen objections were raised during a public consultation exercise.
Nevertheless interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe has recommended councillors approve the scheme despite saying in her report “limited weight” should be given at this stage to the recommendation in the proposed LDP2 the site’s capacity ought to be increased.
“The proposed LDP2 was approved by councillors in November ... and has undergone public consultation,” she states.
“Three representations have, however, been received in objection to the proposed increased site density and capacity range, as proposed in LDP2, which means that the issue will form part of the examination by the [Scottish Government’s] reporter.
“Therefore, at this stage of the process, limited weight can be given to the proposed plan.”
However she continues: “It is considered appropriate to clarify at this stage that the housing numbers reflected in the site allocation is purely an indicative figure, originally identified as a means to satisfy housing land supply requirements for the housing market area and the wider LDP housing numbers.
“This number does not reflect a fixed or upper site capacity; the assessment of the site in terms of scale and density of development is borne out of detailed site layout designs, landscape capacity studies and wider site context appraisals.
“Fundamentally, the intended outcome is to seek a high standard of development, influenced by detailed site assessments and design input, rather than being constrained by a specific housing number.”
The council’s planning committee will consider the application and Ms Condliffe’s report tomorrow.
