A SCOTTISH Green Party MSP has called for a decision on a controversial planning application for new homes near Garelochhead to be delayed while the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Ross Greer, who represents the west of Scotland region, including Helensburgh and Lomond, wants planning rules to be relaxed to allow Argyll and Bute Council to defer considering the proposals for 12 houses at Portincaple until a public meeting can be held.
The council recently agreed to delegate committees’ decisions, including on whether to grant planning permission, to a temporary Business Continuity Committee which meets online, with no possibility of the public addressing the committee or a site visit being undertaken.
More than 250 objections have been lodged with the local authority against the application, which was submitted earlier this year, while almost 800 submissions have been made through a Scottish Greens petition.
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Mr Greer said: “This application is a potential game-changer for Portincaple, irreversibly altering the character of the community and the local environment, so there are understandably very strong feelings about it.
"And it’s more than just 12 houses. If approved, it would open up a much larger space for potential development.
"The right decision needs to be made and that means giving residents the greatest possible opportunity to address the committee.
“Planning law is complicated and less than half of the councillors on this emergency committee are on the normal planning committee.
“Whilst I’m sure they are well-advised by officials, this is far from ideal. It’s also simply unnecessary, given there is no need to make an urgent decision on this application.
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“The issue of planning applications which can’t be delayed isn’t just affecting Portincaple.
"Developers all over Scotland are always proposing unpopular and inappropriate developments.
“Local residents having their say in front of a planning committee can often be very effective in stopping them.
“Communities need the assurance that the right to have their say over issues which profoundly affect them will be protected.”
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