Plans for 41 new homes at Laurel Bank in Maybole have been recommended for approval despite every representation received from residents opposing the development.
Hayhill Developments is seeking permission to build on almost two hectares of land off Alloway Road. South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel will decide the application on Wednesday, September 9, after the proposal was referred to councillors because it attracted more than 10 objections.
What is planned for the site
The proposed development would include 41 homes, including 11 affordable properties. The scheme also includes new roads and footways, public open space, a children’s play area, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and measures intended to improve biodiversity.
The affordable homes would be delivered through Ayrshire Housing. The 11 properties are above the council’s 15 per cent policy requirement for the area.
The application follows an earlier proposal that was withdrawn. The number of homes has since been reduced from 43 to 41, plot sizes along one boundary have been increased and some houses have been repositioned.
Residents’ concerns
All 22 representations received by the council opposed the development. Objections raised issues including traffic and road safety, flooding and drainage, pressure on local infrastructure, loss of green space and wildlife habitat, privacy, overlooking, and the scale and density of the plans.
Objectors also questioned the proposed pedestrian connection to Elms Way and raised concerns about construction traffic.
However, council planning officers say the objections do not provide sufficient grounds to refuse permission. The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has raised no objection and considers the development acceptable in terms of access, road safety, traffic, layout and parking, subject to conditions.
Drainage, schools and planning history
Drainage was one of the main issues raised during the consultation. The original proposal for a pumped surface-water system has been replaced by a gravity-led approach with storage, flow controls and sustainable drainage measures. The Ayrshire Roads Alliance’s flooding service has raised no objection to the revised plans.
Council education officials have concluded that local schools have enough capacity for pupils generated by the development, so the developer would not be required to make an education contribution. The relevant catchment schools are Culzean Primary, Carrick Academy, St Cuthbert’s Primary and Queen Margaret Academy.
The principle of housing on the site has previously been disputed. Councillors refused a residential development there because of affordable housing provision, but a Scottish Government reporter later overturned that decision and awarded expenses against the council. The site is now allocated for residential development in South Ayrshire’s Local Development Plan.
Planning officers are recommending that the latest application is approved subject to conditions. The final decision rests with the Regulatory Panel.
