MOFFAT residents are keen to see a derelict former tennis club transformed into a housing development.
People who live near the former Ballplay Lawn Tennis Club have welcomed plans to tidy up the eyesore location, which has been derelict for many years, writes Marc Mclean.
Dumfries man Blair Gourlay, who runs a small scale construction firm, was last week granted planning permission by Dumfries and Galloway Council to build a four-bedroom two storey-house on the former tennis courts.
The council’s planning committee also support the formation of shared layby access and three parking spaces.
Ewan McFarlane, the applicant’s agent, said: “There were no objections to the application or the design.
“In fact, as part of our interaction with neighbours and people in the local area over the last couple of years, they’re really keen for this to move on and happen just to tidy up that area. We’ve had a lot of correspondence and consultations with Dumfries and Galloway Council flood risk management team who have no objections to this.”
He added that the applicant has hired the same experts the council uses to carry out flood risk assessments, and have been taking all steps necessary to meet requirements.
However, dealings with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency SEPA were described as “challenging” and the agency is objecting to the plans due to flood risks.
This means that, despite councillors approving the proposals, the matter be referred to Scottish ministers at Holyrood to make the final decision.
