Portincaple housing plans are unanimously refused

The application by developer Pelham Olive was the subject of a seven-hour hearing by Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Tuesday, January 26.

And all 11 councillors from across Argyll and Bute supported a motion by Lomond North independent councillor George Freeman that planning permission should be refused.

The meeting, held via Skype, saw robust discussion among planners, supporters, objectors and local residents as well as councillors.

Councillor Freeman moved that the plans should be refused as they failed to comply with part of the local development plan and they did not fulfil any housing need.

He also said that Portincaple was “a sensitive area” and that the proposed development was out of character for its setting.

A computer-generated view of the site as it would have been seen from Loch Long

Council planning officers had recommended that planning permission should be granted subject to the hearing having taken place.

But more than 1,000 objections were lodged before the meeting – and it's understood that late submissions took that number to more than 3,000.

Helensburgh Central SNP councillor Lorna Douglas seconded Councillor Freeman’s motion, and no committee members were otherwise minded.

Architect Bruce Jamieson, of PureGreenSpace Architects, had drawn up the plans and spoke in their favour at the meeting, although Mr Olive was also present.

Mr Jamieson said: “It is exactly the right location where a 12-house proposal can make a huge difference.

“Only 52 people out of around 130 residents in Portincaple have raised objections. Why have around 60 per cent of those residents not done so?

Opponents pictured near the development site

“I have argued very strongly that the survival of coastal communities and the population decline in Argyll and Bute will be dependent on bold ideas for energy solutions which attract young people and their families.”

John Urquhart, convener of Helensburgh and District Access Trust, also gave his support to the plans during the meeting.

Speaking in a personal capacity, he said: “It seems to me that there is little wrong with this application.

"In contrast there is a great deal wrong with the objections which are motivated, either by the usual irrational NIMBY fear of change, or by a largely external and politically motivated campaign which perhaps has more to do with the coming election than any real concern for the environment.”

West of Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer was among those who attended the virtual meeting to object, along with local residents and members of Garelochhead Community Council (GCC).

A computer-generated view of the proposals, looking over Loch Long towards Cowal

He said: “The community has already demonstrated opposition and leadership to this campaign. None of the politicians representing Portincaple live there but that does not make them external.

“These embers represent a number of communities but only living in one of them, and the same goes for MPs and MSPs.”

He then said during summing up: “The community are concerned that this development will fundamentally change the characher of their home.

"It is not justified within planning policy. Protect Portincaple and reject this application.”

GCC chair Watson Robinson also said: “Many points have been raised by the public and not been fully addressed. Some have just been dismissed.”

After debate among the 11 councillors, Councillor Freeman submitted a motion stating that the application should be refused, which found unanimous agreement.

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