THE fate of a proposed housing development in Cardross now lies in the hands of the Scottish Government after an appeal was submitted by developers.

Avant Homes Scotland went to the planning and environmental appeals division of the Scottish Government regarding their proposals for Kirkton Farm.

Argyll and Bute Council had been expected to make a decision by late October, but nearly four months on, is to hand a decision over to Holyrood.

The company wants to vary three conditions of planning permission which was originally granted, changing access to the proposed development from Darleith Road to Barrs Road.

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A public hearing of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing (PPSL) committee was originally planned for Cardross at the end of October.

But Avant requested a three-month delay, and with that period now expired, they are anxious for progress.

A letter from Argyll and Bute Council senior planning officer Sandra Davies to Cardross Community Council said: “Avant Homes Scotland has lodged an appeal against non-determination relative to removal of conditions 4 and 5 and variation of condition 7 of planning permission in principle.

“(This is) in relation to roads arrangements at land north Of Cardross Primary School, Barrs Road, Cardross.”

The plans to change access arrangements at the proposed 140-home development attracted more than 150 complaints from village residents.

MSP Jackie Baillie was among those who made submissions to the council on the plans, urging them to widen the consultation as much as possible.

She said back in August: “As Barrs Road already experiences a high volume of traffic, adding more residential traffic to this route may lead to the road becoming over congested.”

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A spokesperson for Avant Homes said: “This is an application to vary the details of an existing planning permission.

“The council did not determine the application within the statutory timescales, and so the matter has been passed to the Scottish ministers for consideration.

“This is an important development which will bring much needed housing to the local community and, subject to receiving planning consent, we wish to commence development of the site as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “This is now in the hands of the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division and won’t be determined by the council.”