Maybole housing plans bite the dust

Aug 27 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PLANS to build a huge housing development in Maybole have hit the buffers.

The proposal, by Hope Homes, was rejected by South Ayrshire Council for fear they would be breaking their own planning rules.

And the building giant was accused of pulling the wool over planners’ eyes in their bid to construct 55 new houses.

Councillors were bitterly opposed to the application for the site at Laurel Bank and Cargill Avenue.

It would have seen a mixture of flats, semi-detached and detached buildings built close to an industrial estate in the town.

However, the application collapsed after Hope failed to include any affordable housing provision within their plans.

The council’s planning rules state that 25 per cent of any development should contain affordable homes.

But the council’s planning officers were prepared to recommend approval and accept a sum in lieu for the affordable housing.

Not so convinced were councillors on the planning panel, who pointed out the blatant flaunting of their own rules.

Labour’s Andy Campbell confessed: “I’d have serious issues with a development like this which contained a complete lack of affordable houses.

“Someone from planning needs to satisfy me that there is no need for affordable houses in Maybole – and I don’t think they can do that.”

SNP man Ian Douglas added: “I’m very concerned by the breach of policy H13 which states we must provide a degree of affordable housing.

“I have a feeling the wool is being pulled over someone’s eyes here and the developer may be laughing all the way to the bank.”

Council planning chiefs argued that the need for affordable homes is far greater elsewhere in South Ayrshire, with Prestwick and Troon under large strain.

But Tory Ann Galbraith insisted: “It is essential we get more affordable housing into all areas of South Ayrshire.

“The bottom line is if you’re desperate for a home, your social network can move from Troon to Maybole.

“It’s a nonsense argument and simply pandering to people if we keep putting affordable housing in just specific places.”

Despite an attempt by panel chair Iain Fitzsimmons to back his officers’ approval motion, all six of his fellow councillors swiftly refused the application.