TWO housing developments previously refused by Clacks Council might still go ahead after decisions were overturned by the Scottish Government.
The council's Planning Committee will tomorrow note a report on two recent planning appeals, both relating to proposals by Allanwater Homes.
On Thursday, September 8, members of the committee will hear how a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government has issued a notice in June that they intend to grant planning permission in principle (PPP) for a development in the west of Sauchie.
Available under reference 10/00153/PPP, proposals are for a 53.7 hectare development on land at Branshill for houses and associated infrastructure.
The application was originally submitted in 2010 but was later refused for failing to mitigate impacts on the education estate.
The proposals included an extension to Craigbank PS whereas the council's assessment was that a new primary school on site would be required.
Reasons for refusal went on to say there is also “insufficient capacity in the existing secondary educational estate to accommodate the proposed development and the applicant has failed to provide for adequate secondary educational infrastructure”.
Further, the council said the proposals would involve a “minimum of 1,000 houses on a site allocated for 774 houses".
However, the reporter concluded that while a contribution towards PS infrastructure is required, it was not necessary to provide a new school.
Land should still be safeguarded for a school, should the council concluded that this is indeed required.
It may not be the end of the matter, as council officers “have a number of questions regarding the reporter’s conclusions and how these have been arrived at in respect of affordable housing, education contributions, the process for agreeing contributions and the timescale for concluding the planning obligation”.
A full response is awaited.
Elsewhere, a previously refused residential development of 91 houses to the south of Forth Crescent in Alloa has received planning permission following an appeal.
Available under reference 21/00107/FULL, the plans at Alloa Park were originally refused for three reasons, the council saying there has not been a “sufficient detailed technical analysis of, or measures to prevent, the potential for the proposed development to cause flooding and drainage issues for adjoining land and property, including the St Mungo's PS site and adjacent existing houses”.
The school building was forced to close in April 2018 due to water ingress.
Other reasons for refusal included a lack of analysis on the potential for the development to cause flooding at Alloa Rugby Club and at previous phases of the housing development and that there was a lack of mitigation to address impacts on schools.
Council papers said: “The reporter concluded that the principle of the development complies with the provisions of the local development plan, and that matters in relation to flooding and drainage also comply with the relevant provisions of the LDP.
“The reporter also concluded that development would not adversely impact on infrastructure and local services, including education.”
Permission was granted by the reporter subject to nine conditions.
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