2 days ago
Port Glasgow couple share their delight after new home plans granted on appeal
A PORT Glasgow couple have told the Tele of their delight after their plans to build a new home were given the go-ahead on appeal.
Kenny and Patricia Crighton's bid to build a bungalow close to their current home at Valleyview House on Dougliehill Road was originally rejected by Inverclyde Council officials in February.
But the couple appealed against the ruling – and have now seen the decision overturned by councillors on the authority's local review body (LRB).
Following the LRB's hearing, Mr Crighton told the Telegraph: "I am delighted. Both of us are.
"We've got a bit of a way to go before we get started. We need to get an architect to draw up some designs.
(Image: George Munro)
'Patricia's arthritis has got a bit worse over the years, so a house on one level will help her in the years to come.'
The LRB's ruling last week came as the couple celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary – giving them an extra reason to celebrate.
Council officials had said, when turning down the Crightons' application in February, that the proposals 'conflicted with the surrounding landscape' on a site which is located in the green belt.
But Mr Crichton said the site itself should never have been regarded as green belt land, having previously been a water treatment works.
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At the LRB's meeting, Councillor Jim Clocherty moved a motion to uphold the original decision by council officers to refuse permission.
But Councillor Stephen McCabe moved an amendment that the appeal be upheld – and his amendment won the day by three votes to two.
Speaking to the Tele after the meeting, Cllr McCabe said he had taken the view that the land itself should be treated as a brownfield site within the green belt.
He said: 'Given that there are other residential properties along the same road, I did not support the grounds for refusal, which is why I moved that planning permission be granted with the conditions set out in the papers."
Councillor Stephen McCabe said he supported the Crightons' appeal after council officers initially refused planning permission. (Image: George Munro) Other reasons for refusal included concerns over the poor accessibility of the site, its failure to meet sustainable transport policies, and whether there was a specific need to build at this particular location.
Mr Crighton told the Tele: "We don't think it should have gone to an appeal in the first place if the planner had been fair and applied the NPF4 (National Planning Network) policy brought in by the Scottish Government in February 2023.
"There are a number of other sites where houses locally have been passed with fewer qualifications than ours.
"This site has never been greenbelt. It has been used by Scottish Water. There are live pipes on this site still in use.'
The development site is located off Dougliehill Road on the edge of Port Glasgow. (Image: Derek Scott Planning)
Mr Crighton claimed planners had been inconsistent in the way they had assessed the site, having approved an application by the couple last summer for a dog exercise facility on the same site.
Mrs Crighton said: "It's just ludicrous. We have been working on the site for the last 20 years.
"A planner came up to inspect the site when we applied for the dog run, but never appeared on the site when we applied to build the house."
Mr Crighton added: "We are very happy that the councillors used a bit of common sense.
"We want to thank the councillors for making this happen for us and see our side of the story."
