Lot's of New Houses!!

[Bill McDicken]

Does anybody know anymore about Nick Hunter's plan for a housing scheme (20 0f 'em!). just West of his pontoon? 14/00180/PPP on the Planning website.

[NickB]

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This has been rumoured for quite some time.

It is hard to imagine who is going to buy them when other plots and properties on the island are taking so long to sell.

For anyone who wants to keep an eye on the progress of this application HERE'S A DIRECT LINK

You can make a public comment on the above website, but if you do your name will be visible for all to see - a bit like the new Seil Chat really

[Sue Fenton]

The new houses would have to be built on stilts as that area floods at high springs ...

Perhaps we should start looking for a new berth for Selkie?

[NickB]

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Sue,

I think you are thinking of the wrong place. The houses would be on the left of the road, up on the hillside there.

I've appended the map from the planning application below. I assume the houses would be within the green boundary.

[Sue Fenton]

Ahah. Blonde moment, thanks Nick!

[Bill McDicken]

Hi Elaine. Doesn't say anything about Social Housing in the application, maybe just planning on selling the plots, who knows?

[NickB]

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I see that the applicant has added a lengthy document stating that 10 of the proposed houses would be owner-occupied and ten would be 'affordable housing' - presumably via one of the local housing associations. This would fit in with Elaine's comment on the need for social housing on then island, and it has generated a lot of support for the proposal from people who believe this would give young families the opportunity to move to Seil.

On the surface this seems quite an attractive proposition. However, I live in a formerly 'affordable house' in a development of five houses built by WHHA. These are now fully privately owned and have thus lost any entitlement to the 'affordable' tag as their cost is now determined wholly by the market. Has housing association policy now changed to prevent the otherwise inevitable rapid transfer of rented/part-owned 'affordable' accommodation onto the open housing market?

The applicant has now been requested to resubmit the application to include the following details :

· Vehicular access point from B844
· Internal road layout
· Plot layout including location of the affordable housing element of the development
· Strategic landscaping details
· Open space provision in accordance with Policy LP HOU 4 of the Local Plan
· Surface water drainage arrangements
· Phasing of the development

If this is to include genuine social housing then perhaps some of the current objectors will withdraw their objections when the new application is made.

[Gavin Rae]

Same kind of topic ......... !

Does anybody know what's happening with two other plots / planning on the island ?

Namely

3 plots on shoreline just short of Easdale Primary School ?

And

4/5 plots 'teds pond ' ? West side of road opposite 5th green of golf course ?

Sorry guys Snoman's carrot nose is getting longer ..... !

[NickB]

I agree. If there is genuinely going to be affordable housing then I would certainly withdraw my objection.

Surely only one of the local housing associations can build this type of housing though?

[NickB]

,
It seems this planning application is still outstanding.

From the April Seileachan:

Site for the erection of 20 dwellinghouses
Land South East of Oban Seil Farm Clachan Seil Isle of Seil Oban PA34 4TN
Ref No:14/00180/PPP Received Monday 20 January 2014
Status: Pending Decision

Intriguingly, the online documents asociated with the application include a publicly viewable email to the applicant dated just two days ago (11th May), but the A&B website is currently refusing to load it, giving a 503 (Service Unavailable) error. Here's the page if anyone wants to try later.

[NickB]

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This application will be presented to the next Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee with a recommendation of refusal.

[Bill McDicken]

Just received a generic Email from A&B Council to say planning for 14/00180/PPP has been refused.