A planning application was submitted in March for the site off Auchenlodment Road in Elderslie in Renfrewshire with the neighbourhood consultation period set to end today (April 23).
Renfrewshire Council, however, has said they will continue to accept and consider any comments submitted after this deadline.
The site (Image: Robertson Homes)
If approved, the plans put forward by Robertson Homes Ltd will see the field between Adams House, a care home for people with dementia, and the woods become home to three, four, five and six-bedroom private properties.
The proposed development on the privately-owned land includes two access points from Auchenlodment Road which would provide an internal loop.
A photo taken from within the field (Image: Robertson Homes)
A planning statement by Turley on behalf of Robertson Homes said: “The proposed dwellings will contribute towards meeting housing needs in Renfrewshire.”
Among those who have objected is Councillor Iain McMillan who said it would be a great shame if this amenity, which has been enjoyed, for many years would be lost.
In his comments, the Cllr also claimed the plans would have a “detrimental” impact on the biodiversity of the area which features “rare plants and has a wide variety of animals such as bats, water voles and a rare type of orchid”.
“They could be lost forever in this area if this development gets the go ahead,” he added.
The Cllr also raised concerns about the loss of privacy and loss of light for neighbouring properties, as well as concerns over road safety.
“It is next to a pretty bad bend where there has been accidents in the past,” he stated.
“The area has been the subject of both police and council action over speeding and I feel another 32 homes, no doubt with multiple cars, would add to the problem.
“I am (also) concerned that this area was previously full of minefields and ground conditions are not suitable for large scale housing developments.”
A computer generated image of a proposed house type (Image: Robertson Homes)
A spokesperson for Robertson Homes said that as “as part of their due diligence as a responsible developer, and to satisfy planning regulations”, they have conducted a number of professional investigations at the site.
“These include an ecological report, that does not identify any rare or protected species of flora and fauna or wildlife, and a geological report which highlights any remediation required to the ground should planning be granted,” they added.
“While we appreciate that the local community has adopted the land as a communal space, it is privately owned.”
The plans for the site (Image: Robertson Homes)
One resident who claimed that greater butterfly orchids are known to be present on the site, however, argued in their objection that the ecological visit took place in January, “when these species are not visible, meaning the survey cannot be considered reliable.”
Residents have also raised concerns about the impact on residents of nearby Adams House and on local services.
One said that “a resident living adjacent to the site has dementia/cognitive impairment and relies on a stable, familiar environment to maintain wellbeing.”
“The proposed development would introduce prolonged construction noise, increased traffic and movement, loss of familiar visual cues and reduced quiet enjoyment of the home,” they added.
Another added: “There is already a sense that schools, GP services and other facilities are under pressure.”
A further resident also raised concerns about the “absolute mess” the land has been left in due to recent testing and drilling.
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A spokesperson for Robertson Homes added: “We have submitted a planning application for privately owned land which was designated as white land in the local development plan in Elderslie.
“Should we be granted planning, our development will be subject to a Section 75 agreement and we will work with the community to integrate the new residents into the neighbourhood.”
