LANDOWNERS’ Bid For Housing On Former Shipyard Site In Port Glasgow Fails

GOVERNMENT planning experts have backed Inverclyde Council’s refusal of permission for housing on an empty piece of ground beside the Clyde at Kingston, Port Glasgow.

The owners of the former shipyard land off Lithgow Way — Peel Land and Property (Ports) Ltd and Peel Land (Intermediate) Ltd – wanted the decision reversed or for the council to be forced to pay them for the site becauseit had become “incapable of reasonably beneficial use”.

Council planners opposed housing development in June 2019 saying the site, beside the playpark, was designated as open space “of value to the visual setting” of the Port Glasgow Waterfront Area although the council’s 2017 Housing Land Supply document listed the Kingston Dock site under ‘Private Sector with Residential Potential’ with capacity for 25 properties.

An expert appointed by Scottish Ministers has agreed with the council’s stance and also opposed the purchase notice.

The decision report states: “The current development plan allocation of open space would not preclude the use of the ground for dog walking, recreation, or sports or education uses.

“There may be scope for a low impact compatible use for commercial leisure on the site which would not offend against the applicable policy.

“These activities are potentially capable of providing a return on the land to an owner. It is concluded that the refusal of the planning application for housing has not rendered the land incapable of reasonably beneficial use to an owner in its present state.”

It continues: “The site is considered to make an important spatial contribution to the amenity of the immediate area and the wider setting of Port Glasgow, including the long distance Inverclyde Coastal Path which runs beside the site. The site makes a significant contribution in a number of ways to the qualities of successful place.

“As matters stand, there will be a shortfall in private tenure housing land supply. Meeting identified housing need through adequate provision of land is an important function of the local planning process, and a shortfall is a significant consideration in favour of releasing land for residential development.

“However, the land must be established to be suitable for that purpose. The notice site has a number of factors in its favour for housing development including its availability. However, the spatial importance of the site in its undeveloped state to the community is of greater weight.

“As the site is not appropriate for housing use, the proposals would not accord with the council’s interim housing policy. National planning policy has recently been revised. The overriding policy principle is that there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

“Measured against the criterion guidance for sustainability…the use of this site for housing would not be sustainable development.”