Officer’s recommendation ‘disregarded’ as Trondra planning appeal launched
A PLANNING officer’s recommendation to approve permission in principle for new houses in Trondra was “disregarded” by councillors, according to an appeal application.
The applicant’s agent also claimed that elected members “appeared unfamiliar with the council’s own objectives and future policy direction”.
An appeal has been lodged with the Scottish Government after planning in principle for seven homes in Trondra was refused by councillors earlier this year.
The application, which involved seven detached homes at the end of the road at Cauldhame, drew concerns in areas such as overdevelopment and access when it was heard by councillors in April.
It was brought to Shetland Islands Council’s planning committee due to an objection from the Burra and Trondra Community Council.
The planning service had recommended approval of the application, subject to conditions being imposed.
An appeal against the refusal has now been lodged with the Scottish Government as applicant Graham Sinclair looks to overturn the decision.
The application was submitted last year but quickly drew concern from some nearby local residents with access, drainage and design among the issues raised.
The Burra and Trondra Community Council also echoed these concerns.
The application said the introduction of seven new homes, of a variety of sizes up to four bedrooms, would help with demand for housing.
One key topic discussed by councillors was the term overdevelopment, with the planning service’s view being that this was not the case.
But one neighbour told the planning committee meeting that it was a “not a small scale or sympathetic addition to Cauldhame”.
An appeal document from agent née Gibson Architects said the application “demonstrated compliance with policy, but the planning officer’s recommendation was disregarded”.
“The proposal complied with planning policy and received no objections from statutory bodies,” it added.
“Councillors appeared unfamiliar with the council’s own objectives and future policy direction. The committee overlooked that the application was for planning in principle, not full planning permission.”
The document also suggested there were instances where comments “made by the review body during the hearing” where the “agent or applicant was not given the opportunity to respond to inaccuracies or assertions”.
The agent has also responded to various elements of the minutes from the planning committee meeting.
Among the points made are references to a shortage of housing in Shetland, including suitable affordable homes for younger people.
It also said the “design process has involved extensive consultation with service providers to ensure existing infrastructure is suitable for future expansion”.
Following concern from councillors about overdevelopment, the appeal document says that “layouts suggest several areas [in Trondra] that currently permit five to six dwellings within the same footprint as ours”.
“It should be noted that these are random houses constructed over the years of expansion in Trondra – cribbing development,” it added.
The architects also said that further information and issues would be covered in future applications.
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