A HOUSING development which was originally rejected for Leswalt will go ahead after all.
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee refused proposals by Wheatley Homes South to build 56 new properties and 153 car parking spaces on land adjacent to Challoch Farm.
Councillors threw the bid out in December last year on various grounds, including the scale and design not being “in keeping with the character of the area.”
And with no financial contributions put forward towards education provision in the area, council planning chiefs also argued that the development “would put undue pressure on the local education facilities.”
However, Wheatley Homes South submitted an appeal to the Scottish Ministers, which was successful in overturning the council decision.
In a report tabled at the council’s recent planning committee, councillors were given the following update: “On May 29, 2024, the Reporter issued his decision notice. He allowed the appeal and granted planning permission subject to 15 conditions.”
Noting the report, planning committee chairman Jim Dempster said: “I’m sure Councillor Giusti, myself, and others will be disappointed at the decision by the Scottish Government, but there we have it.”
Nith Councillor John Campbell said: “I wasn’t disappointed because I had an opposite view from yourself.”
Lochar Councillor Ivor Hyslop said: “This was turned around quite quickly from the decision we took.
“It’s not been a frivolous decision we’ve taken, it was a good one.
“It just seems quick.”
David Suttie, the council’s chief planning officer, replied: “It was relatively quick, but it was by written submissions only and an unaccompanied site inspection, which was all the Reporter felt was necessary for him to reach a decision.”
The development will also include the creation of a new access roads, a suds pond, services infrastructure, and landscaping.
