3b Construction have submitted a planning application to Dumfries and Galloway Council to build 43 homes, along with parking and landscaping, on land at Southfield.
Council planning chiefs have recommended that the development is given the go-ahead, however there have been seven formal objections lodged with the council from Wigtown residents and one from a household in Newton Stewart.
The application site comprises an area of land within central Wigtown, comprising the former agricultural showfield Southfield Park, and an area known as Seaview which lies adjacent to the wider showfield.
The Ayr-based construction firm have outlined plans for the erection of 43 houses arranged in the main along new frontages onto Harbour Road, South Back Street (Southfield Lane) and Lilico Loaning, as well as along a proposed distributor road through the centre of the site.
The proposed properties would be a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings of mainly one or two storeys.
Council planning officer Chris McTier explained that the site is designated for housing and had already been earmarked for 42 properties under the council’s local development plan.
In a report to be tabled at next Wednesday’s planning committee, he wrote: “Elements of this proposed development have been agreed as a strategic priority through the council’s strategic housing investment plan.
“The proposal meets the housing needs of a range of people in the Mid Galloway housing market area.”
There has been a long planning history with this site, dating back three decades, where several bids were made for housing developments but these never materialised.
In 1989, Wigtown District Council granted planning permission in principle for the erection of 18 houses on the southern part of the site.
In 2006, planning permission was then granted for the erection of 36 houses – but interest was withdrawn by the applicant.
Two years later, a planning proposal for 34 properties was drawn up but there were issues with Scottish Water around drainage.
For this application, Scottish Water have no objections, and neither does the council’s flood risk team leader, or roads officer.
The eight objections received from members of the public concern various issues including disruption, congestion, overlooking and impact on local services.
These objections will be heard at the planning committee next week to inform councillors before they decide whether or not to approve the housing development.
