HOUSING bosses have been left red-faced after being refused permission to keep biomass boilers they installed at sheltered housing without consent as part of a £1.2m project.

Earlier this month, furious residents hit out in the Tele after River Clyde Homes controversially installed a large dark green boiler directly outside Glebe Court in Kilmacolm – without planning permission.

Now planning chiefs at Inverclyde Council have refused the housing association permission to keep the boiler in place.

They have also dismissed applications for several other biomass boilers at Broadstone Gardens in Birkmyre Avenue in Port Glasgow, as well as at John Galt House and Seafield House, both in Greenock.

Frank Walker, a retired professor of architecture at Strathclyde University, whose property looks on to Glebe Court, welcomed the verdict.

He said: “I think it’s the right decision. I hope this is the end of the story and it is removed.”

Residents at Glebe Court say it’s an ‘absolute outrage’ that the boiler was installed by RCH without approval, building warrants and without proper consultation.

Frank added: “They went ahead and pushed this through without planning permission. They have ridden roughshod over health and safety.”

Earlier this month, bosses at River Clyde Homes told the Tele that the biomass boilers are part of a £1.2m investment in heating for a ‘largely elderly population’ and would provide a ‘modern, reliable system’.

A council spokesman said: “All four have been refused planning permission on the grounds of emissions, odour, noise and the inability to be able to service them safely. 

“Two of them – Broadstone Gardens and John Galt House – were also refused on visual amenity grounds.”

A spokesperson for River Clyde Homes said: “We have still to receive a formal notification from the council on its decision to reject our application to install a biomass communal heating system within our sheltered housing complexes.

“Our overriding concern, at this time, is the need to undertake measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our tenants.

"The current gas heating systems have been identified as at risk of failure. We have been in discussion with the council regarding our preferred permanent solution since early 2017.

“The current biomass cabins are in place as a temporary measure and will remain in place until such time a permanent solution is agreed. The cabins were installed as an emergency backup to safeguard our tenants in the event of the gas heating systems failing and will remain so.

“Upon receipt of the reasons for rejection, RCH will have further discussion with our planning consultants, and the council and decide what approach to take next. RCH may consider the option of an appeal. Regarding investment, the biomass systems would have been leased to the organisation and funded through the Renewable Heat Incentive.

“Therefore, we have not, nor would we incur any investment costs. If, however, we have to change the heating system to an alternative gas/ electrical/ oil based system this will have a significant impact on our investment plans for Inverclyde.

“Any alternative to a communal biomass heating system is also likely to have an effect on our tenants’ future energy bills and our ability to support the reduction of fuel poverty in line with government direction. 

“Our preference remains focused on providing a biomass communal heating system at our sheltered housing complexes. Currently, 10 per cent of our properties benefit from biomass energy systems.”