Objectors fail to block flats plan

Oct 7 2010 by Louise Reilly, Hamilton Advertiser

OBJECTORS have failed to halt planning permission for the demolition of a bungalow in a residential area of Strathaven and replacing it with a block of four flats.

Thirty objectors, including Strathaven Community Council, opposed the plan by Steven Noon to demolish the single-storey house at 51 Colinhill Road and replace it with a two-storey block of four flats.

South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee heard on Tuesday that the bungalow sits in a site of 1130 square metres bordered by residential properties with Lauder Hall – a B-listed property, formerly the home of the late Sir Harry Lauder – to the west of the site.

The plan shows the flats set back approximately 8.3 metres from the footpath on Colinhill Road, with vehicle access to the east of the site and parking on the eastern boundary.

In recommending approval of the application, planners said, despite the objections, they were satisfied the site could accommodate the scale of building proposed and would not harm residential or visual amenity.

In their objection, Strathaven Community Council said a block of flats would be out of character with the surrounding area. They also claimed the proposal would be over-development of the site and the car parking would be an eyesore as well as adversely affecting the setting of Lauder Ha’.

Their views were echoed by other objectors, who also voiced other concerns, including fears the extra traffic generated by the development would increase the risk of accidents and existing residents would be forced to live a few metres from a car park with resultant noise, disturbance and pollution.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Avondale and Stonehouse Councillor Graeme Campbell said, while he was not opposed to development on the site, he was opposed to the scale of the building proposed. The proposed flats were three-bedroom apartments.

Colinhill Road, he said, was predominantly an area of bungalows built in the 1960s and 1970s.