Controversial storage container plan for Stewarton

The move follows an appeal over the length of time East Ayrshire Council planners had taken to deal with the application.

Unlike the majority of planning applications that come before the Local Review Body, this meant the application did not come with any recommendations from planning officers.

However, there were objections to the plan, at Magbiehill Park - which encompasses a change of use from business to storage - largely around the impact of lighting at the site.

Each storage container will be 6m long x 2.45m wide and 2.6m high.

One objector stated: “The basis for this objection is the extent of obtrusive light currently emitting from the site as a whole, and further development of the site will exacerbate this issue further.”

Stewarton Community Council echoed the concerns over lighting.

They said: “The community council is concerned about the impact of light pollution from the site which already adversely affects the surrounding community.

“Community council members report bright light from the site coming into bedrooms at night and are concerned that the installation of 50 new storage containers and surrounding infrastructure will require additional lighting.

“We note the written objection lodged by a concerned neighbour and would like to stress that Stewarton and District Community Council shares these concerns.”

In a letter, the community council requested that EAC planning officers request the applicant submit a detailed lighting plan for the development, with commentary as to the steps that will be taken to minimise the impact of light pollution to the neighbouring domestic properties.

Councillors discussed the application at length, ultimately deciding that they would require more information, including a site visit, before coming to a decision.

In the interim, they have asked planners to provide their view on the application within two weeks, with the applicant then given a further fortnight to respond, with a view to a decision being taken in around a month’s time.

Councillors discussed whether the proposed screening using coniferous trees along the side of the A735 was sufficient, the need for more biodiversity in the landscaping and the suitability of the storage containers, both in terms of colour and layout.

Councillor John McGhee suggested that the biodiversity requirements of planning guidance weren’t being served by providing screening using coniferous trees.

Councillor James Kyle also questioned the positioning of the containers side by side, saying that there should be space to allow the container doors to be opened properly.

The committee will consider the application once the site visit and reports are completed.