COUNCILLORS have narrowly approved alterations to a house in Dalton despite a slew complaints from village residents.
A retrospective planning application was submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the removal of a chimney and erection of a one metre fence at Millpark Cottage after work was carried out earlier this year.
Built in 1989, the property was fitted with two false chimneys to keep it in character with the traditional style of the village, which lies within a conservation area.
It was stated in the application that one was removed from the cottage after water leaked into the timber frame, which then rotted.
The case came before members of the planning committee on Wednesday after six neighbours lodged objections.
One said the fence is “the only fence of its kind in the village”, while arguing that other solutions would have been viable to fix the leak.
They added approval of the application would set a “worrying precedent”.
Another said the applicant “obviously has no respect for the environment or Dalton as a Conservation Village”.
At the meeting, committee member Cllr Archie Dryburgh put forward a motion to reject the changes and have the applicant take down the fence and reinstate the chimney.
However, Cllr Ian Carruthers, who said he has known the village “my whole life”, argued in favour of approval.
He said: “The style of fence that’s there, it’s befitting of the age of the house that’s there and my understanding is it’s for security reasons, particularly for children running about.”
Upon going to a vote, members were split, giving committee chairman Cllr John Campbell the deciding vote, which was to approve unconditionally.
