Councillors voice concern over major Cardross housing plan

A pre-application notice has been lodged with Argyll and Bute Council by housing firm Taylor Wimpey for a site at Geilston Farm, bounded by Murrays Road, the A814 and the Helensburgh-Dumbarton railway line.

It is not known how many homes are actually intended to be on the site, and no formal planning application has yet been submitted.

Councillors discussed the pre-application notice at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, August 21.

Two public consultation events are due to take place on the plans, at the Geilston Hall on Wednesday, September 25 and Tuesday, October 29.

Members of the public can attend either or both of the events, which will run from 4pm to 8pm both days.

The development site is bounded to the north by the A814 road between Cardross and Helensburgh. (Image: Google Street View)

Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) said: “This is a massive site and I understand it could hold up to 700 houses.

“It is right at the side of the village, which is challenged for its infrastructure. The sewage system is not great, and the primary school is tiny and always full.

“At what point do we discuss those impacts on the village itself?

“I am really worried about the school and the sewage system, and this is also a flooding space they are planning to put the houses on.”

READ MORE: Outline plans revealed for housing development on large site in Cardross

Planning officer Stuart Ramsay said: “I can take concerns back to the agents for the developer, and concerns could be expressed at the two public meetings.”

Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn), then said: “You have the railway line bounding the site, and it would probably be prudent, if any application came forward, to demonstrate that it is not just about drainage of the land being built on.

“It is also what is happening with this land for it to stop flooding elsewhere. Having the open space to flood prevents it from flooding elsewhere.

It's thought the site could have the capacity for up to 700 homes. (Image: Google Street View)

“If you are taking away the ability for the land to flood, that could put pressure on the infrastructure in terms of the railway line.”

Councillor Paul Kennedy (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh and Lomond South) asked: “At a community council meeting, they were talking about more than 500 houses being put on the land. Is it for social housing, or is there a mix proposed?”

Mr Ramsay responded: “There is no indication, but in terms of local development plan policy, we would look for 25 per cent of houses to be affordable as part of any submission.

“I have not been party to any numbers, but it is a significant size of site.

“In terms of green belt designation, we are not aware of any discussions leading to this coming forward.”

Councillor Green then said: “It might be helpful, if they were to bring this forward, if they looked at the housing needs of the area itself.

“The site is fairly close to a train station and if you have three or five-bedroom houses, it will be aimed at the upper end of the market, which is presumably people going to Glasgow.

“One thing about housing in Oban is that large scale developments tend to be 100 per cent social housing, so you have a relatively good supply.

The southern edge of the potential development site lies next to the Helensburgh-Dumbarton railway line. (Image: Google Street View)

“It is still not enough to meet the need, but you do not have these developments with a strong lean towards private housing. It needs to be delivered towards the local community.”

Councillor Howard added: “I agree with everything you have said but I have a concern about the main road.

“It is a major road and the construction traffic could put a great deal of pressure on it.”

Taylor Wimpey recently withdrew a separate planning application, submitted more than two years ago, to build more than 300 new homes on part of Helensburgh Golf Club's land.

However, the company says it hopes to bring forward new proposals for the land "in the near future".

It's understood the fate of the golf club plans is not linked to that of the site in Cardross.