A GROUP of objectors have scored a victory in their fight to prevent a concrete plant business being set up in Lochside.
Neighbours living near Irongray Road and business owners and customers at Lochside Industrial Estate were opposed to plans to install a self-batching concrete station on a piece of land which was deemed to be inappropriate.
Twenty-two objectors raised concerns about noise, pollution, and the negative visual impact that the plant would have on the area, particularly due to its eight metre high hopper for producing concrete.
Dumfries businessman Mr L Scott had applied to Dumfries and Galloway Council for planning permission to set up the self-batching concrete station.
It was described as a compact facility, rather than a large industrial unit, and the application also included the siting of a cabin, a 2.8m high boundary fence, and aggregate stores. Councillors previously opted to visit the location after hearing objections and that the site is close to a house and the Knowhead Boarding Kennels and Cattery business.
They regrouped at the council’s planning committee on Wednesday to make a final decision.
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Andrew Giusti said: “I’m usually very pro-development but I just don’t feel that this is the right area.
“I feel like this was designed to be a buffer zone. It’s very clear it was designed that way to maintain the amenity of the area.
“So, I would propose that we refuse this. We reject the report’s recommendation on the basis that the proposed development – specifically the hopper represents an unacceptable intrusion due to its scale and not being congruent with the surrounding area.
“It’s not similar to the other businesses that are in the backdrop of that business park. It’s very different and is not contained within the building.
“The mitigating factors proposed – I don’t think they’re adequate. I think the proposal fails to demonstrate compliance with policy OP2 – design policy and placemaking, as it doesn’t contribute positively to the visual amenity. It actually detracts from the visual amenity.”
Castle Douglas Councillor Pauline Drysdale supported Councillor Giusti, saying that the scheme was “not acceptable”.
She said: “The proposal doesn’t take appropriate account of the impact on the residential amenity – in the case of the dwellinghouse adjacent.”
Councillors unanimously agreed that the concrete plant would contravene the council’s local development plan policy on design quality and placemaking.
It was also stated that it would not fit well with existing businesses in the area.
