AN application for outline planning permission for a residential development at land adjacent to Drumdarroch House Nursing Home at Mill Road, Insch was refused by members of the Garioch Area Committee at their recent meeting held on Tuesday (February 2).
The application by Langstane Housing Association was recommended for refusal by Aberdeenshire Council's Planning and Environmental Services as it was contrary to council policies including Policy Hou/4; that the application was for a residential deve
lopment in the countryside which no essential need had been demonstrated; Policy Gen/1 as an unplanned extension to Insch, and Policy Gen/8 which avoids development on land that is at an unacceptable risk from coastal or river flooding.
The application also generated nine letters of representation and 22 signature petition objecting to the application.
The local Community Council also strongly objected, highlighting strong local concerns that the area was prone to flooding.
SEPA also objected to the proposal saying that "the development may place buildings and persons at flood risk contrary to the provisions of national planning policy guidance and advice". They also disagreed with the applicant's agent who suggested that the flood risk could be managed and dealt with.
The letters of representation from members of the local community also raised concerns regarding flooding along with capacity issues at the local school and health centre, traffic congestion, the local amenity value of the site to walkers and dog owners and also the design of any development in regards to the character of existing housing in the area.
Agents for the applicants had proposed widening the flood plain along the Savoch Burn and using the excavated material to raise the sites level and provide a physical flood barrier.
The operators of Drumdarroch Nursing Home were also amongst those who objected stating that they "had to evacuate every single client and staff member from the care home less than three years ago due to the flooding problem with the site".
They also noted that "any development on the land adjacent to Drumdarroch Nursing Home would be severely detrimental to both, our very vulnerable client group and the neighbouring houses."
Members of the Garioch Area Committee unanimously agreed to accept the Planning and Environmental Services recommendation and refuse the outline planning permission.
