A HOUSING developer has vowed to create local jobs and a “substantial economic benefit” to Moffat after being given the green light to construct 68 new homes in the area.
Hartfell Homes, which is based in the town, was last week given planning permission for a large residential development as part of an overall regeneration masterplan for Selkirk Road.
This project will bring a mix of two to five bedroom properties, with a quarter of the homes being allocated for affordable housing.
Substantial areas of open space and a new play park for existing and new residents have also been promised.
At Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee last Wednesday, councillors approved the plans – despite six letters of objections from Moffat residents.
Penny Johnstone, planning agent for Hartfell, and Iain Storrie, who works for the developer, attended last week’s meeting.
Penny said: “The proposal will deliver 68 new homes within the local development plan at the Selkirk Road allocation.
“That will be approximately a third of the overall housing allocation in accordance with the local development plan spacial strategy.
“A range of house types has been sought to be provided. There are bungalows, there are two-storey houses, semi-detached and detached, and they range in size from two beds up to five beds, which is to improve choice and affordability – and respond to local need and demand.
“Of the 68, 25 percent affordable provision has been made which is in excess of the local development plan policy requirement.”
She added that the development will bring a “substantial economic benefit” to the area including direct and indirect jobs.
She said: “Hartfell Homes is a local house builder and they are committed to using a local workforce, and wherever possible through the construction process.
The plans submitted to the council’s planning department also include 15 detached garages, 176 parking spaces, landscaping, and suds drainage pond.
Council planning case officer Graham Smith told councillors: “There will be an acceptable level of parking provision – that’s something that roads (department) have confirmed.
“There’s also visitor parking dispersed throughout the layout for any visitors that are coming for those dwellings that don’t have detached garages. There’s a mixture of detached and integrated garages.
“Some of the larger bungalows, for example, have a larger integrated garage.”
Six letters of objection had been lodged with the council, with concerns around the housing development being too dense and the site access being described as “inadequate to cope with the volume of traffic”.
