Published: Thursday, 8th February, 2007 11:41
Controversial Development Rejected
By Frances Ridge
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THE battle to allow a controversial development to go ahead in Rhu was lost this week.
At yesterday's Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee meeting councillors rejected the plans to construct a house in the grounds of Avalon, Manse Brae, following a site visit.
Councillor Billy Petrie visited the area and argued that the development should be given the go-ahead — despite fears that the position of the property would be overlooking the existing house and the planning officer recommending refusal of the application.
He said: `There was no objection to the house, it was on the access road. Those who objected made that quite clear. I would move that we grant this application as a dwelling house situated at a right-angle to the existing house would not be overdevelopment.`
However, Cllr Petrie's suggestions were refuted by others on the committee during Wednesday's meeting.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney said: `The key issue is not the access. That can be relieved, my issue is the size of the plot. It is a very small plot. I do think we are trying to squeeze a building on to a plot that is too small.`
Councillor Tacchi added: `The building will be at right angles and will be visually intrusive. By building in this area it is shoe-horning the build into the site. I would have no hesitation in supporting Councillor Mulvaney in moving the officer's recommendation.`
When a vote was taken the application was refused by the committee with Cllr Petrie saying they were making a `mountain out of a molehill.`
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