THE fate of plans for up to 140 new homes in Cardross is set to be decided at a hearing in the village later this month.

Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee will consider Avant Homes' application for the Kirkton Farm site when they meet at the Geilston Hall on Tuesday, January 24 at 10.30am.

The company is seeking permission in principle to develop the site in two phases - although 20 Cardross residents have objected to the plans.

The developer and the objectors will be given the chance to state their positions in the course of the hearing.

The planning committee - whose membership includes two of Cardross's local councillors, David Kinniburgh and Richard Trail - briefly considered the application last August.

The committee agreed with officers' advice that a discretionary hearing should be held before a final decision is made.

Avant Homes' statement in support of the application proposes a development of “approximately 140 residential units”, 35 of which would be designated as ‘affordable’.

Construction is expected to take between four and five years if permission is granted.

Seventy of the homes would be built in the first phase of the development, with the second phase of the build following immediately afterwards.