Bid to overturn homes refusal

Russell Steele • Published 1 Feb 2012 12:00 3 Comments

FURIOUS River Clyde Homes chiefs are set to appeal a council decision to block a major housing development in Greenock.

The housing association wanted permission to build 42 properties at the old Springfield school in Larkfield, but Inverclyde Planning Board controversially rejected the proposals in November.

Their decision, by a 4-3 majority verdict, came despite planning officials recommending that the go-ahead should be given.

Now the housing association will appeal to the Scottish Government over the snub, saying it has jeopardised a

£4 million project.

They say the development - part of a £14m regeneration programme creating 126 properties over three sites - would bring 'much-needed family homes' to south-west Greenock.

Anne Marie Bagstad, who chairs the RCH board, said: "We find it hard to believe that some members of the planning board went against the recommendation of the planning department on this issue.

"It is clear for everyone to see that this area of Greenock, while popular and sustainable, is in need of new family homes.

"The council itself has invested heavily in the Larkfield area with a new school, an upgraded sports facility, a nursery and a new children's home is also under construction."

River Clyde Homes says it consulted 'at length' with residents in the area over the development prior and worked closely with the planning department to ensure legitimate concerns were addressed.

But the housing association has now warned that the decision to refuse permission could have serious knock-on effects, including for tenants.

Bosses say that even if the Government overturns the council's decision, there is now no guarantee that the full development can go ahead as planned originally.

Ms Bagstad said: "The funding mechanism from the government is such that the current delay has already meant that over £1m of grant investment for the town has been deferred.

"There is also a six-figure cost implication in delaying the build into 2013/14, as a result of the refusal of planning consent.

"This is a cost that RCH tenants may have to bear or, ultimately, it could make the project unviable - resulting in the loss of up to £4m of new housing.

"It would be a travesty if this was to happen as this prime site could be left derelict for many years because of a lack of funds."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Feb 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  askelvis
  456 posts
  Feb 1, 13:38
  Report comment

  Oh no! Now where all the lazy lay about get their new free houses from now
  
  Recommend?   Yes 9     No 7

• 

  Tria78
  18 posts
  Feb 1, 14:28
  Report comment

  Have to say it, not all the people in lovely *cough splutter* RCH properties are lazy dole scroungers. My husband and I both work, him full time, me part and we pay full rent and CT for our damp, very airy, hit and miss with the cold water, etc flat, well worth our hard earned pennies. Come on RCH why can't you keep care and repair your older properties instead of worrying about building new ones.
  
  Oh yes and I'm forgetting about our brand new open air attic space, thanks for letting us keep it this long!!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 10     No 3

• 

  gran61
  63 posts
  Feb 1, 19:09
  Report comment

  Its only people on benefits that can afford to rent these brand new houses.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 4

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