PERMISSION Given For Shop Despite Hundreds Signing Petition

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 |

PERMISSION has been given for a shop to be built in Larkfield, Greenock, despite a 360-signature petition opposing it.

Inverclyde Planning Board approved the application for a 250-square metre, single storey, shop in Fife Road, Greenock on part of a former housing maintenance depot.

The shop will be set back about eight metres from the pavement with eight parking spaces. It will have a cash machine.

Objectors raised concerns about litter, road safety, loitering, anti-social behaviour and disruption from deliveries.

Planning officials believed the development was acceptable although a condition of permission is that the opening hours be restricted to 7.30am until 8pm. No deliveries will be allowed outwith those hours either. Staff will have to arrive no earlier than 7am and leave no later than 8.30pm.

Other council departments had not objected on road or environmental health grounds.

Stuart Jamieson, head of regeneration and planning, said in his report: “While I note the concerns over potential antisocial behaviour, it is not appropriate to withhold planning permission to restrain a legitimate business solely to avoid potential breaches of law that are not inevitable.”