A POTENTIAL development of much-needed affordable housing in Ardfern has been given the thumbs down by planners.
Mid Argyll’s new local area plan has revealed that the 30 homes expected to be built on land at the Glebe – which is owned by the Church of Scotland – will not go ahead.
The plan states that as it is a difficult area to develop because of the steepness the wooded embankment, making it difficult to access. Any development of the land would also require the felling of a considerable number of mature trees.
It adds: ‘It would have significant impact on the landscape setting of this part of Ardfern and would have an adverse effect on the setting of the former manse, a category B-listed building.’ It concluded that it would be ‘detrimental’ to the character of the village.
George Bevan, chairman of Craignish Community Council, said he was ‘disappointed’ at the decision this week, as a partner had been found by the Craignish Church Glebe Project to provide affordable houses on the Glebe, and initial funding from Communities Scotland was now in place.
However, Mr Bevan said he was ‘very pleased’ that Argyll and Bute Council has withdrawn plans to develop Ardlarach Glen as it is considered a natural asset of the village.
‘The rest of the report is pretty much as we expected. It is good to see the local area plan take one step further to being adopted, as we have waited a long time for this,’ he said.
With reference to the glen, the Scottish executive reporter states: ‘We recognise the value of Ardlarach Glen as an area of informal recreation readily available to residents of Ardfern and visitors to this vicinity.’
