The North Denniston side of the proposal
A DEVELOPER has failed in its bid to overturn refusal of plans for housing on fields at Kilmacolm.
Gladman lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government over Inverclyde Council's rejection of its application for land at Knapps and North Denniston, either side of Bridge Of Weir Road.
They wanted permission in principle for residential development -- a masterplan showed an expected capacity of 100 flats and houses.
The council refused saying it would be an "unjustified urban development" in the green belt and that it would not protect the quality, character, landscape setting and identity of the village.
In their appeal statement Gladman had stated: "The council does not have a five-year supply of effective housing land. This is key to the assessment of this appeal and the application of policy. There are no adverse impacts arising from this proposal which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits it confers."
But Government planning expert Robert Maslin has now agreed with the council's verdict.
His report states that the proposed development "would not be an acceptable means" of addressing a shortfall in the supply of effective housing land as it would not "safeguard identity through place-setting" and would not "protect and enhance the quality, character and landscape setting of Kilmacolm".
He also said it would be "unacceptably obtrusive in an attractive landscape that is particularly valued locally".
Some of the land between the village and The Knapps loch was also part of the plan
