Published: Saturday, 17th May, 2008 10:00
Flagship Burgh housing plan given the go ahead
By Steve McElroy
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NEW LOOK: How developers say the site will look.
THE biggest housing development in Helensburgh for 35 years was given the go ahead last week, despite opposition.
The massive scheme, on the site of the old Hermitage Academy, is at the centre of a proposals to build a mixed development of 166 houses — including 25 per cent of subsidised homes — on a 14.5 acre site.
The application came in for close scrutiny with developers and objectors coming face to face at a special discretionary planning meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, staged in the Victoria Halls last week.
Officials from developer John Dickie Homes (Helensburgh) Ltd outlined their proposals for the site, which includes entry via a new roundabout to be built off the A814, high quality homes, consisting of 49 detached houses, 12 semi-detached, 53 terraced and 52 flats, tree-lined paths and cycle tracks, play areas and open spaces to create “a safe environment which residents can enjoy.”
Although there was general support for the development, objectors included neighbouring residents in Guy Mannering Road, opposed to the opening of their cul-de-sac to create a through road to the development,.
Helensburgh Community Council members also outlined their preference of seeing the houses have more of a Scottish flavour — particularly with a Helensburgh identity — which they say should acknowledge the town’s architectural past and harness energy conservation measures.
In his submission, Jim Pettigrew architect for Dickie Homes, said that the development offered “a unique opportunity to have high-quality housing.”
He said that initial proposals would see traffic lights installed on the A814 at the road junction leading into the intended development, but council planners deemed a roundabout as being be more suitable, because the entrance is from a stretch of the dual carriageway.
Mr Pettigrew said: “The importance of the site is fully appreciated. We need to deliver an innovative layout, on which we do not want to be dominated by cars.
“We have worked with landscapers to enhance and contribute to a high-quality development with a wide range of properties which have been designed specifically for this location, and be energy efficient.”
He said that a three/four storey row of curved flats will face Cardross Road, while within the development there will be a large open space residential square with tree-lined paths.
Mr Pettigrew said: “We have taken into consideration the road safety of pedestrians and installed traffic calming features which would reduce speed to a 20 mph limit.
“Within the development there will be a number of split level houses of various sizes and scale and 43 houses will consist of affordable homes and be fully integrated, consisting of four semi-detached houses, 15 terraced houses, and 24 flats.
“The architects’ style is fresh and contemporary within a significant area of quality in a safe environment in which residents can enjoy.”
Joanne Brindley of Brindley Associates, landscape architects, said that one of the key features was to highlight the entrance to the development to reflect an open landscape using shrubs, hedges and railings.
She said there will be two major areas “within the heart of the development”, one situated at the start of the site, incorporating play area equipment, and the other within the development itself.
She added: “We consider that we have achieved a well-designed scheme and an area of high quality development which fits in the with surrounding landscape.”
Nigel Millar, chairman of Helensburgh Community Council, said they objected to the design of the houses and the opening up of Guy Mannering Road.
He said: “We have no quarrel with the way the development looks or the number of houses but we feel that one more push would take this from a good development to an excellent development.
“This is a key site and it should be the best of what can be achieved.
“We have a unique opportunity to leave an imprint on the town so that we can look back and say it is a job well done.”
Mr Millar felt that the style of the houses was not unique and wanted to see a type of property that “made a statement that you are entering the town.”
After a lengthy hearing, councillors voted to approve the development — subject to additional conditions.
Councillor James Robb, committee chairman, said: “This decision makes progress on addressing the widely acknowledged housing shortages in the Helensburgh area. No member proposed that the application should be refused, so the decision was one of whether a delay for more information on traffic movements would be likely to alter the presumption in favour.
“I recognised the aspirations of the Helensburgh Community Council for design improvements and had sympathy with, and understood entirely, the reasonable concerns of the residents of Guy Mannering Road. The committee had to make a decision on the application as presented and it is widely recognised as a good development.
He added: “As chairman, and on behalf of all the committee, I appreciate the comments from objectors who thought the hearing fair and properly conducted and that their views had been well considered as part of the process.”
A motion to continue the decision was defeated, although conditions will be added to the application including allowing continued operation of the Athletics Club, improvements to the roundabout and relaxation of PAN 84.
There will now be a Post Hearing Consultation Process held to see if there are any further to add and these will come before the committee in June.
The application will then be made to Scottish Government Ministers who have to be notified because the development is on council land.
All going well work on demolishing the school and roads infrastructure should begin next February or March.
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