PLANS for eight affordable new homes in Rothesay are set to be given the go-ahead, despite a petition against the development.

Fyne Homes’ proposal for vacant land at the junction of Ballochgoy Road and Blain Terrace will be considered by councillors next week.

An Argyll and Bute Council planning officer has also remarked that the proposed drainage strategy for the development “is not generally supported” by Scottish Water.

However, councillors have been recommended to approve the application at a meeting of the authority’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, September 18.

The officer said in a report: “The site is located within the ‘main town’ of Rothesay as identified in the adopted Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan (LDP2) and, given that it was previously occupied by flatted blocks but is now grass, it represents brownfield land that has become naturalised.

“The type of development that is proposed is considered to be compatible within this established homogenous residential area and it would be a small-scale scheme in the context of its surroundings.

“It successfully contributes to ‘local living’ by providing homes where the occupants can meet the majority of their daily needs within a reasonable distance by walking, wheeling or cycling or using sustainable transport options.

“Furthermore, it would provide eight units of affordable housing via a registered social landlord and agreement on the timescale for build-out can be achieved through a condition.

“Having regard to the built development pattern and densities of the local area, it is noted that there is a range of scale and design of houses.

“The proposed dwellings will most closely resemble the buildings that the housing association erected in the upper part of Ballochgoy Road and along Blain Terrace and, in this sense, their scale, design and finishes are reflective of nearby properties that have been constructed in the relatively recent past.”

The report added: “The only issue of significance relates to the proposed drainage strategy whereby surface water would be collected at each of the proposed dwellings, attenuated and then discharged into the combined Scottish Water sewer close to the site.

“The principle of this type of arrangement is not generally supported by Scottish Water although they mention that they would consider a request for a connection should special circumstances be demonstrated.

“It is understood that there is an ongoing dialogue between consultants representing the developer and Scottish Water and, in these particular circumstances, it is considered that a negatively-worded suspensive condition is appropriate.”

The petition against the plans contained 16 names, many of them neighbouring residents.