Green light given for new affordable housing at Golspie: Local councillors says scheme is an 'absolute necessity'
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North councillors have unanimously agreed to grant planning consent to a new housing development at Golspie.
Members of the North Planning Applications Committee agreed at a meeting today to give consent for the new scheme on a green field site to the rear of Sibell Road, with access from South Argo Terrace which is to be widened.
Highland Council hopes to build 17 units, comprising semi-detached and terraced homes as well as flats and one detached home.
Planners recommended the proposal for approval despite it going against the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan which states the area should be retained as green space.
There was also some opposition from neighbours.
Planning officer Gillian Webster told councillors: "The units are all proposed as affordable housing and would help to address the deficiencies of the housing stock in this area, in particular the need for one-bedroomed units which would be provided in the cottage flats."
She said the site was within walking distance of the village and public transport.
Ms Webster said the field in question was formerly a hockey pitch but had not been used for decades and that the departure from the development plan was "minor".
Local councillor and Golspie resident Richard Gale spoke up in favour, saying: "Golspie has been crying out for properties for such a long time now. It is a situation where we are having to turn away folk from the NHS and education, as well as youngsters who want to stay and work, because there are no homes. It is an absolute necessity to have housing."
Cllr Gale added that all objections raised had been addressed to his satisfaction.
A motion to grant planning consent was put forward by committee chairman Cllr Drew Millar and seconded by Cllr Gale. There was no amendment.
