PLANS to change access arrangements to a proposed development of up to 140 new homes in Cardross have sparked fury from village residents.

More than 150 people have submitted objections to Avant Homes’ bid to alter access arrangements for its planned development at Kirkton farm to the north of the village.

The company wants access to the site – both during and after construction – to be via Barrs Road instead of Darleith Road.

MSP Jackie Baillie has been among those making representations to Argyll and Bute Council following an emergency meeting of the village community council attended by 137 members of the public.

Ms Baillie’s letter calls on the authority to widen the consultation to ensure that as many people as possible can have their say on the proposed change in access to the housing scheme.

The minutes of Cardross Community Council’s emergency meeting detail the concerns of residents on the proposals.

The minutes state: “The concerns relate to the proposed use of Muirend Road, Barrs Road and adjacent roads as an access to the proposed new housing in the field at the top of Barrs Road.

“Patrick [Trust, community council convener] said that the community council are only able to send a ‘letter of concern’ relating to the application. “Anyone wishing to comment on the application should do so as an individual.”

According to the minutes of the meeting, one resident, Mike Leitch, warned that the proposals could result in up to 200 more cars using Barrs Road every day – along with “a considerable volume of heavy construction traffic”.

Mr Leitch also told the meeting that “the access appraisal provide by the developer’s consultant can be readily rubbished”.

In her letter to the council Ms Baillie said: “As you know, Barrs Road is being proposed as the new main route to the development since Darleith Road has been found to be too narrow.

“As Barrs Road already experiences a high volume of traffic, adding more residential traffic to this route may lead to the road being overcongested.

“I would be grateful if the council could agree to extending and widening the consultation.”

An Avant Homes spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with respected transport consultants to put forward an alternative access solution that is robust, safe and implementable.

“This solution has been submitted to the planning authority for consideration. At this stage, we would not wish to make further comment on the application until the council have had the opportunity to consider our submissions fully.”

Argyll and Bute planning officials are currently considering Avant Homes' application. A decision is expected by late October, though the number of objections increases the likelihood of a public hearing to consider the application in detail.

Planning permission ‘in principle’ to develop the Kirkton Farm site was granted in January 2017.