Call for rethink over access to proposed new Gourock housing development

The company Inverdunning has lodged an in-principle application for a self-build development of six properties on land next to Rosemount Place, beside Gourock Golf Course and off Carnoustie Avenue.

But people who live in the street say the development will cause a serious road safety problem.

Concerns have also been raised about the ability of emergency services vehicles to reach the site when required.

Resident Gary Woodside, of Rosemount Place, insists the proposed access into the new homes is not big enough.

He said: "The access route to be used for four of the houses has always been a lane - it is 15ft wide and now it is to become a two-way road.

"The new houses could create up to an additional 12 cars on this road.

NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR TRUMPETHILL OFF ROSEMOUNT PLACE, IMAGE COURTESY OF INVERDUNNING LTD

"There are plenty of other options, such as access from Cowal View."

Mr Woodside said people in the neighbourhood had no objections to the new houses being built, but were worried about road safety.

He said: "There are no pavements and there is no room to build them.

"There is going to be a road accident - kids walk down here all the time to catch the bus to school or go to the shops."

Bob Lynch, 66, of Carnoustie Avenue, added: "I am not against the houses, it's all the extra vehicles.

"Every Friday the bin lorry has to reverse out of this lane."

Residents of Trumpethill oppose proposed development near Cowal View, Gourock.

The application was discussed at a recent meeting of the planning board, with 47 objections and 37 submissions lodged in favour.

Officials have recommended that the proposal should be given the go-ahead, but councillors on the board delayed and are due to go on a site visit to see it for themselves before a final decision is made.

One Rosemount resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "Recently we have witnessed vans, cars and waste collection vehicles unable to get down this narrow street, with multiple pictures and videos available for the planning board to consider.

"So far the offer of access to these videos hasn’t been considered.

"What happens when emergency vehicles need access, as there are no plans for the road to be widened.

"We need our councillors to consider our concerns when carrying out the site visit due in April - there has to be another solution for access.”

Inverclyde Council says the roads department has been consulted and raised no objections in principle, but made several recommendations about roads, pavements and traffic in relation to the proposed development.

Inverdunning purchased the site last year after it was advertised as a development opportunity.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We have met with a number of local residents and most of the comments have been positive towards development on the site.

"The only objection we have experienced at site visits came from some neighbours in Rosemount who expressed concern about construction traffic and a general preference that all access should be taken from Carnoustie Avenue rather than their own street.

"We respect the comments from neighbours and have constructed a temporary access route for construction traffic at Cowal View so that we minimise disturbance to Rosemount and Carnoustie residents.

"We have also confirmed that there would be only six new houses on the site, some accessed from Carnoustie and the balancing properties accessed through Rosemount.

"This provides for only a small amount of additional traffic on each road.

"The council roads officers have not objected to any of our design proposals and confirmed that the road at Rosemount is adopted and wide enough for access, all of which resulted in a recommendation that our planning application be approved."

The firm says interest in homes at the site is strong.

They told the Tele: "The demand we have had for plots if planning is granted has been very positive and highlights the attraction of Inverclyde for new quality housing sites.

"We have not advertised the site but have had queries from many local people and from as far afield as Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, England, Qatar and Switzerland.

"We are hopeful that our application receives support at the next planning board."