Garth Development: Local Councillor's View

creeping development. While not always inappropriate, it does lead to suspicion from the public whenever a plot of land is sold to a 'developer' with some form of permission with it. The Housing in the Countryside Policy which was adopted in December 2005 states 'consent will be granted for houses within building groups provided they do not detract from both the residential and visual amenity of the group'. The only reason that the planners recommended approval was that they thought that it did fit into this section of the policy. It was, and still is, my opinion that the application did not conform to that part of the policy, as to my mind it was clear that the application was not within a building group, and that is why I moved for the refusal of the application. I was formally seconded by another member of the committee (I cannot recollect whom) and as no other councillor spoke or moved approval the refusal went through.

Due to the above I world disagree with Mr Bright that "The development was entirely in line with Planning Policy Guidelines" and I would also disagree with the comment that the houses would have been "..at the more affordable end of the scale..". The term 'affordable' is at best misleading. I believe they would not have been remotely affordable by the average Aberfeldy resident, in any case that is not a planning issue, although maybe should be in some cases.

I do not accept that I have 'taken sides' in this application or indeed other applications in the Garth area. I am well aware that there are conflicting views about planning in the area, that is why I have done my best to be impartial and deal with each application separately. In that last couple of years I think it will be found that I have supported some application but not others. One I did not support initially, but when the plans were amended to make them more sympathetic, I did. The reality is that planning applications are often contentious issues with people arguing strongly and sincerely for and against them. One group will always feel hard done by with a decision, that is unavoidable. The best that any member of the Planning Committee can do is to come to a fair and considered opinion, and one that fits into the Council's Planning Policy. At the end of the day, maybe, on some occasions the wrong decision is made, the Councillors are after all only human!

At present the only alternative is for a Planning Officer to make the decision, which, in my opinion is not all that democratic, as it is after all, the opinion of one Officer, who possibly lives over 40 miles away and has no 'real' feel for the area.

I understand that the whole planning process will be given a shake in the near future which will lead to, at last, an amended Highland Plan, and a new planning system. I understand that more decisions may be made by Planning Officers, with the Councillors being far more involved in the appeal stage. When I find out more I will inform interested parties.

Cllr Ken Lyall

Breadalbane Ward, 14 Lawers Place Aberfeldy