A FARMER in Kirkcudbright has been granted retrospective planning permission for a large agricultural building which angered local residents.
Robert Maitland, who runs Culraven Dairy, built an agricultural building one mile south east of Borgue, with a footprint of 911m² and which stands 8.5m high.
Borgue Community Council raised objections with Dumfries and Galloway Council, arguing that it did not match up with approved plans, and had a significant adverse visual impact on the scenic area.
The matter was heard at last week’s planning committee,
Syd Davison read out a personal objection and then spoke on behalf of the community council as chairman. He called for councillors to either reject the application or postpone the decision until after a site visit.
Mr Davison said: “The photograph doesn’t show how elevated the site sits to the road. I believe a site visit would be essential to allow you to understand why the community council has disagreed with the opinion the current case officer has formed.”
Dee and Glenkens Councillor John Denerley agreed and called on councillors to visit the site.
He said: “I respect the concerns from the community council regarding the impact on the environment, at least the visual impact.
“And so I would be in support of the proposal of delaying this so there’s an opportunity to review the information in more detail, and have further discussions to understand the concerns of the community council.
Tom Woof, a chartered town planner representing farmer Robert Maitland, attended the planning committee.
He told the committee that Mr Maitland had been a farmer in the area for over 35 years, and that there was “no significant difference” between the original building plans and the retrospective planning application.
Annandale East and Eskdale Councillor Archie Dryburgh put forward a motion calling for the retrospective planning permission to be granted, which was seconded by Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Iain Howie. This was passed by the committee.
