A DEVELOPMENT of shops and a takeaway proposed for a site in Port Glasgow has been rejected by planners.
Inverclyde Council officials refused permission 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 formerly contained the former Unity social club, which burned down in 2017.
The decision report by planners states: “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.”
