LAND has been designated for nearly 100 properties in Largs Glen near Noddleburn Meadow – despite flooding concerns raised by two councillors.
The council has earmarked space for 95 houses at the furthest end of Largs Glen beyond the as-yet unbuilt, Phase II at Noddsdale Meadow.
Local elected members are divided on the issue, with SNP councillor Alan Hillopposing the allocation of the new site and Conservative councillor Tom Marshallspeaking up in favour of it.
Cllr Hill said: “I am concerned about the possibility of flooding in this area.
“We have had serious flooding from Noddsdale Water in the past.
“A flooding study is still to report however given ongoing climate change issues I am just not convinced that we should be building in this particular area at the moment.
“There is adequate housing land available in Largs at the moment, including 122 homes on the site of the former Largs Academy and Kelburn Primary, new housing in Nelson Street and on Greenock Road.
“Noddsdale Meadow Phase II has outline consent to go ahead when and if the flooding issues have been addressed.
“Apart from those sites I have mentioned there is also housing land available on the St Mary’s School site and further up the hill at the site of Brisbane Primary.
“This is a 10 year plan and it will take that time to develop the sites that I have mentioned without bringing into play a new site opposite Kilburn Water at the farthest end of Brisbane Glen Road.”
Housing was proposed for Noddsdale Meadow Phase II at the time of the last Local Plan.
This was removed due to flooding fears following a request from Councillor Hill but subsequently reinstated at appeal.
This site has the potential for 80 houses and can already be developed, subject to resolution of flooding issues.
Cllr Hill said: “Noddsdale Phase II was strongly resisted by residents of Largs Glen back at the time of the proposed 2014 Plan.
“We provided sufficient evidence to councillors to have this area removed from the Local Plan at that stage.
“It was disappointing therefore that local elected members did not manage to stick together on this occasion.
“I saw no reason to agree to these additional 95 houses until after we were satisfied that all flooding issues had been addressed successfully.
“We should have continued with the same policy in my opinion.”
Speaking at the Largs Community Council meeting, Cllr Marshall explained the reasoning behind the extra housing, pointing out that the population is dropping as a whole across North Ayrshire.
He said: “NAC have been looking for ten development sites for housing right across the district. They have agreement for ten developers to build housing over the next ten years. “The thinking behind is it to help build the economy in Ayrshire by bringing in more people, and there are also a couple of housing developments in West Kilbride.”
Source: Largs and Millport News