Planning Application 17 Units - North of Towerview, South Argo Terrace, Golspie

10th August 2022

The application seeks consent for the erection of 17 new units comprising 13 houses (1 detached, 6 semi-detached and 6 terraced) and 4 cottage flats. 3 of the homes would be accessed directly from South Argo Terrace which lies along the southwestern boundary of the site with the remaining units accessed from a new culde-sac which would be formed through the site, in part formalising an existing track which runs along the northern boundary currently.

Committee: North Planning Applications Committee.
Date: August 2022
Report Title: 21/05997/FUL: The Highland Council - Housing
Land 55M North of Towerview, South Argo Terrace, Golspie
Report By: Area Planning Manager North
Purpose/Executive Summary
Description: Erection of 17 dwellings & associated infrastructure
Ward: 4 - East Sutherland and Edderton
Development category: Local
Reason referred to Committee: Departure from Development Plan Allocation
All relevant matters have been taken into account when appraising this application. It is
considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the
Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations.

Recommendation
Members are asked to agree the recommendation to GRANT the application as set out in
section 11 of the report.

1. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
1.1 The application seeks consent for the erection of 17 new units comprising 13 houses
(1 detached, 6 semi-detached and 6 terraced) and 4 cottage flats. 3 of the homes
would be accessed directly from South Argo Terrace which lies along the
southwestern boundary of the site with the remaining units accessed from a new culde-
sac which would be formed through the site, in part formalising an existing track
which runs along the northern boundary currently. Surface water would be addressed
by way of a SUDS basin to be installed close to the south-eastern boundary and a
connection to the public sewer is proposed in terms of foul drainage.
1.2 5 proposed units comprising 2 blocks of semi-detached houses and 1 detached
house will have a frontage onto South Argo Terrace with the remaining units facing
into the new internal cul-de-sac with 2 blocks of 3 terraced units to its western side
and 1 block of semi-detached units and 4 cottage flats within 1 block along its eastern
side. A footpath link would be created from the proposed turning ahead providing
pedestrian access from within the new development onto South Argo Terrace.
1.3 The proposed units range from 1 bedroom cottage flats to 4 bedroomed houses and
are all of relatively simple vernacular form with rectangular footprints and
porch/covered entrance features. The materials for all units comprise off-white
render finish to external walls with areas of timber effect feature cladding particular
around the upper storeys and around porches. The proposed roof tiles are dark grey
concrete, and each unit would be serviced by an air source heat pump.
1.4 As part of the proposals an existing stone boundary wall along the boundary of the
site with South Argo Terrace will be removed and re-built further east into the site
allowing this existing road to be widened. Off-sire improvements to the existing path
network at Back Street are also proposed. Landscaping will be provided throughout
the site through a mix of hedging and tree planting of native species within individual
plots with two areas of landscaped open space to be provided one of which will
contain cherry trees.
1.5 The site has an existing access from South Argo Terrace which runs along the north
boundary leading to the rear of houses along Sibell Road; this is a relatively informal
access. There is no other existing infrastructure within the site.
1.6 No pre-application advice was sought in advance of the submission of this
application. It is understood that the applicant sought to engage with the community
directly ahead prior to seeking prior permission with the overall number of houses
proposed having been reduced from 30 to 17 as a result.
1.7 The application is supported by a Design Statement, Drainage Impact Assessment
and Transport Statement.
1.8 The proposed layout has been amended to revise the position of house types in
order to reduce the scale of car dominance on the South Argo Terrace boundary;
elevations of the proposed houses have been amended to improve their fenestration.
The road and drainage layout has also been amended following consultee comments
and the landscaping plan has also been amended to ensure a surfaced access to
the rear of houses along Sibell Road is maintained.
2. SITE DESCRIPTION
2.1 The site comprises 1.8 acres of grassy field, located to the east of South Argo
Terrace towards the eastern extents of the village of Golspie. It is largely flat with
less than 1m in fall from north to south and less than 0.5m fall from west to east,
bounded to the north and north-east by 2 storey housing along Sibell Road and a
single house known as Towerview to the south. The area to the east of the site would
remain as a grassy field and the area immediately west, to the other side of South
Argo Terrace, comprises the playing field area of the Golspie Primary School. A
culverted watercourse traverses the site from north to south and there is a lane
running along the northern boundary of the site which currently provides access to
the rear elevation of houses along Sibell Road.
2.2 There are no natural, built or cultural heritage designations covering the site.
3. PLANNING HISTORY
The site has no planning history since electronic records began in 1999.

View the council debate at
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/691284