A DEVELOPER is hoping a decision to refuse permission for shops and a takeaway in Port Glasgow will be overturned.
Rubble Shift Landscaping Ltd has submitted an appeal after Inverclyde Council officials ruled against a plan for two neighbourhood retails units plus a hot food outlet on land at Southfield Avenue.
There was also to be a separate building for use as tool hire premises, with a yard. There were to be a total of 21 vehicle parking spaces. The site previously contained the former Unity social club, which burned down in 2017.
The appeal will be considered by councillors on Inverclyde Local Review Body. A date for the hearing has still to be set.
The decision report by Inverclyde planners, issued in February, stated: “The nearest local centre is Dubbs Road which is approximately 223 metres and a seven-minute walk from the site. It should be noted that at the time of assessment, vacancies currently exist in the nearby Dubbs Road local centre.
“The large scale of this proposal essentially creates a new local centre, when the existing local centre within the catchment of surrounding residential properties, can be argued to be not being utilised to its full potential.
“There is an understanding that there are community or economic benefits of introducing retail at this location, given it will serve and be accessible to surrounding residential properties, which is recognised by comments in support received by representation.
“However, the benefits could be offset by drawing trade away from the existing local centres/facilities. In this regard, sufficient evidence has not been provided to conclude that no preferable, appropriate, suitable and available opportunities/sites exist.”
A document submitted with the appeal states: “The handling report mentions the empty units at Dubbs Road which are significantly larger that the proposed units, come with more onerous rent terms, higher rates, less energy efficient, poorly maintained and congested carparking, difficult delivery parking and higher maintenance costs.
“The handling report also raises concern of overprovision of local facilities in the area which could adversely impact the vibrancy, vitality or viability of other existing centres. There have been empty council properties at Dubbs Road for over 12 months, this again should not be used to the detriment of good proposals elsewhere that are tailored better to supporting local business.”
