DCS Ref: 100-066-189 Hearing Year of Decision: 2010 Inspector: M CROFT
County: FALKIRK Summary of Decision: DISMISSED
Description:
3 houses redevelopment of 3.6 hectare of brickworks in open countryside designated Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) Harm to AGLV from limited visual improvement from removal of brick structures. Insufficient information in outline application to address remediation of contaminants by condition. No harm to nature conservation. Abstract:
In refusing permission for the erection of three dwellings on former brickworks near Edinburgh a reporter stated that he was unsure as to how contaminated the site was.
The site had been subject to coal mining activity and a brickworks had ceased operating in the 1980s. It contained a spoil heap, decaying brick structures and large amounts of broken bricks. The appellants stated that the site was visually harmful to the character of the area and there was a risk that the site contained high levels of contaminants that would be removed if the scheme were permitted.
The reporter noted, however, that the desktop study submitted by the appellants did not actually identify what contaminants existed nor the environmental benefits associated with their possible removal. In his opinion, the scheme had little support from policies in the council's local plan, noting that the majority of the site was screened from public views and therefore its visual impact was limited. Overall, he decided that any environmental benefits associated with the site's redevelopment did not outweigh countryside policies which restricted housing development in such areas.
COMPASS Index Terms | Issue Codes | | 412 | | Area of Great Landscape Value - site within | | 47 | | Ecology/ environmental matters | | 82 | | pollution/environmental hazards - Existing Contamination of Site | | |
| Development Codes | | 500 | | Conventional house(s | | |
| Proposal Codes | | 150 | | Mineral extraction and tipping - all quarries, brick/cement works - Redevelopment of | | |
| Site Codes | | 010 | | Open countryside only - Post August 06 cases | | |
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