JOHNSHAVEN HOUSING STILL ON BACK BURNER
PLANS for a major housing development in Johnshaven have come under fire from councillors.
The Brotherton Estate is seeking permission to build 67 new homes at Golden Acre, and approval was expected to be given by councillors at this week's meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee.
But members deferred their decision, objecting to a lack of affordable housing and renewable energy schemes in the proposals.
The development, east of Golden Acre, would include a mix of house types ranging from single storey to two storey properties, with eight affordable houses in four semi-detached pairs to be built on the west of the site. It would require it's own access road onto the A92, which will be cut into the slope following Barons Pade.
But of the 67 new houses, only eight have been designated as "affordable housing". Councillor Peter Bellarby said: "I am very disappointed about the level of affordable housing, I think there should be more. There is a crying need for affordable housing in Johnshaven."
Councillor Mike Sullivan added: "There are not enough affordable houses in this project. There is also not a single reference to renewable energy. To say I am disappointed is an understatement."
Concerns from the local community that the size of the development will have too great an impact on the small village were also considered, as well as worries about road safety, the impact on views from Herd Crescent and the pressure it would put on Johnshaven's existing infrastructure.
But planning officer Douglas Gray said that the decision to include eight affordable houses was a result of looking at the need for it in the area.
A report before councillors on Tuesday, also stated that: "The 67 proposed houses can be easily accommodated in a layout which still retains the existing mature woodland areas on and adjacent to the site, and allows for adequate and meaningful open space to permeate throughout."
Mearns Councillor George Carr voiced support for the scheme. He said: "This application has a lot of merit and I would definitely support it. There have been several public consultations on this in the area, and I am glad to see that a lot of the concerns that were raised have already been addressed."
The committee have deferred their decision until the developers have been given a chance to address the concerns regarding affordable housing and renewable energy.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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