Inverclyde Now Logo COUNCIL Reject Sheep Farm Worker Cottage Plan

8 May, 2020 | Local, Planning

INVERCLYDE planners have refused permission for a cottage in countryside between Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village.

The three-bedroom property was proposed for a site on the western edge of Duchal Estate, just east of the B786 road, north of Stepends Cottages.

The land is mainly mixed woodland and scrub apart from a derelict agricultural building which was to be demolished.

Duchal Estate wanted to build the property to house an estate worker who would be looking after a 500-strong sheep flock.

But Inverclyde Council officials said the proposal was contrary to a planning policy because the agricultural business with which it would be “inextricably linked” had not been in operation for at least five years.

Their report stated that rule was in place to give a new venture time to demonstrate its true viability thus providing justification for a permanent on-site residence.

It continued: “Unfortunately, the council’s experience has been for new houses to be established only for the associated rural or agricultural business to end within a five-year period resulting in unjustified sporadic residential development.”

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