PLANS to build 87 new council houses on a private housing estate have been approved - despite objections from “aghast” residents.

Planning bosses at North Ayrshire Council are forging ahead with Irvine Housing Association’s plans to build the homes, despite 49 lengthy objections from residents who say the infrastructure simply isn’t there to support that number of new properties.

Tarryholme residents say local services, including education, roads and health are already “stretched to capacity” and the prospect of 87 new houses, plus a further 113 in planning for the second phase.

Currently householders in the estate have lodged formal objections and complaints due to “deep concerns” about the plans - but planning chiefs approved them last week anyway.

More than one resident’s complaint’s centred on claims that Irvine Housing Association had been prematurely advertising the properties for rent - before they had even been approved.

Residents lodged objections in October and November 2017 - a full three months before the plans were approved last week.

One resident said: “I am deeply concerned that Irvine Housing Association are already advertising these houses as an option for accommodation when the application is supposed to be only at the planning stage.”

Another resident said the main school within Tarryholme’s catchment area would not be able to accommodate the sheer numbers of children who might move into the new homes.

The objection reads: “At present the current school roll for Glebe primary is 371 pupils with a maximum capacity of 421 pupils, therefore this leaves only 50 places to be split with this proposed new development as well as the current development atthe Hallmark hotel site. In addition to the schooling is sue there is also the factor of GP availability, Townhead surgery has already had to transfer 1,000 patients out due to them being overstretched so there is no way they could accommodate any further patients. This should be an important factor especially considering that some residents will have additional support needs and can’t be catered for within the immediate area.”

However NAC planning bosses said their colleagues in the education department “had no objections” to the proposals.

They said: “The potential impact of new housing developments on local infrastructure is taken into account through the local development plan (LDP) process. The current LDP was adopted by the council in May 2014 following external examination by Reporters appointed by the Scottish Government.

“To ensure that up to date school roll projections are taken into account, NAC Education were consulted about the application and have raised no objections to the proposal.

“The Tarryholme area falls within the catchment area for Glebe and St Mark’s Primary Schools, Greenwood and St Matthew’s Academies. Glebe and St Mark’s Primary Schools currently operate at around 90 percent occupancy, as does Greenwood Academy.

“St Matthew’s Academy currently operates at 80 percent occupancy. From the roll projections for these four schools, each school has spare capacity for children from the proposed development.” Another resident was concerned about the impact on traffic, which is already majorly conjected at the entrance and exit to the estate during peak times. 

He said: “I could not object more strongly to these plans. With only one road in and out of the estate, at peak times there are already delays in exiting the area - for example getting children to school, work etc.

“An estimated extra 165 cars will significantly contribute to this and impact the safety of motorists and pedestrians crossing the road, particularly school children. Where will all the extra cars park?

“I understand the current plans do not allow for adequate parking - if cars parked along the road in and out of Tarryholme, this would further cause traffic problems, congestion and decrease safety for all.”

Another said: “We are saddened and aghast at the sheer volume of houses (two hundred) which are possibly going to be built, basically doubling the population of this community.

“At peak times, it is already extremelydifficult to enter and exit the Tarryholme estate due to the current amount of vehicles from Tarryholme in addition to the already high volume of fast traffic on the A71.”

But the council say those concerns have been looked at and an addition 87 homes would have “no significant impact on traffic volumes”.

However The council have not factored in the additional 113 houses which could be approved in the second phase. Planning chiefs also say North Ayrshire Council’s transportation department “has no objection to parking levels”.

They wrote: “The applicant’s agent has submitted a Transport Statement prepared by a qualified consultant which concluded that the assessment of key junctions within the local road network indicates that the addition of 87 dwellings as part of the first phase would have no significant impact on traffic volumes in the locality.

“NAC Transportation has no objection to the level of parking provision that is proposed within the application site.”

Another concern raised was the safety aspect of anyone from the estate leaving or accessing Tarryholme without a car.

The resident said: “There is no bus service here. We did have one but it was withdrawn.

“Our walking route can be hazardous with overgrown trees, bushes and weeds hanging over the pavement. Bad enough with a pram never mind a wheelchair.”

NAC responded: “At the request of Planning and Transportation, the applicant agreed to the provision of a controlled crossing on the A71 and a drop kerb crossing at Milgarholm Roundabout in the interests of safety."