Callander housing bid controversy

Aug 6 2010 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

MORE than 50 locals and the owner of the Roman Camp Hotel are among the objectors to a housing proposal for a field in Callander.

The application by former Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park board member Mike Luti seeks permission in principle for residential development at a 2.37 hectare site at Churchfields in Manse Lane, which is currently used for grazing sheep and horses.

The park’s planning and access committee is set to discuss the application on Monday and park planners are recommending conditional approval.

Callander Community Council has welcomed the potential provision for new houses in the Trossachs town.

However, it has added that the planning committee should satisfy itself that the development should not be affected by flooding, vehicle access should not affect the pedestrian route to McLaren High School and the River Teith Special Area of Conservation should not be adversely affected. It also was unable to reach a consensus view between the proposed size of the development or a smaller development.

In total 72 representations were received, of which 66 were objections and six were in support. In total 53 local residents have objected to the application, including a number of neighbours and the owner of the Roman Camp Hotel, who objected because the development was on the opposite bank of the River Teith and would affect its setting and character.

Other objections are that the site is prone to flooding and is on a high amenity and environmentally sensitive area being proposed for inclusion in the Callander Conservation Area; there are walks in the area enjoyed by visitors and local people; the site is one of the few remaining green spaces in the town; the proposed access is unsafe due to a bend in the road; increased traffic and lack of infrastructure.

Supporters, however, felt the site was in a sustainable location next to shops, schools and services and within the village so helping to ensure ribbon development did not take place.

Park planners said their assessment had demonstrated how the development constraints, flooding and landscape setting could be resolved and that the delivery of housing on the site would successfully contribute towards the area’s housing needs including being required to deliver at least 50 per cent affordable housing.

They added: “The style, scale and design would be appropriate for the area, given the strict design criteria that must be met at the next application stage, and the character and amenity of the existing residential area will not be unacceptably damaged, given the buffer zones required around the site.

“The site does not erode valuable open space as it is private land which has limited amenity value.

“There are a number of recommended conditions that take account of important issues including flooding and landscaping which should be resolved through careful design to ensure high quality development.”