160-house development at Melbost West Housing Development Sandwick Isle Of Lewis, Sandwick

“Description of development 5.5 This application seeks detailed planning permission to erect 160 mainly semi-detached houses with air source heat pumps and roof mounted solar PV panels; as well as associated roads, foot paths, pedestrian crossing, car parking, landscaping, public open space and drainage provision. The development includes the provision of a serviced plot for potential future commercial development.”

“The 160 houses will comprise of 156 semi-detached units and 4 detached units of 8 different house designs, varying in size from one to four bedrooms, and between single to 1.75-storeys in height. Within the proposals, 26 houses are designed to be wheelchair friendly. All 160 of the dwellings are constructed to comply with Housing for Varying Needs standards.”

“The application site is located within the mapped settlement of Stornoway. The landscape of the site and surroundings is classed as Gently Sloping Croftland Landscape Character type. The site itself is grazed farmland, though the surrounds are reflective of the suburban fringe of Stornoway with the current Melbost East housing to the east of the site and Parkend housing to the south.”

“Description of site and its context 5.11 The application site extends to approximately 10ha (approx. 24 acres). The site is located within Melbost Farm land, and consists of a comparatively gently sloping grazed, grass field with some small elements of farm infrastructure such as a concrete animal corral, fencing and low level stone walls. The wider area is largely the remainder of the farmland, extensive housing development, and an industrial estate.”

“The extant planning history is limited to the related Pre-Application Notice (PAN) (ref. 24/00513/PAN) and Environmental Screening opinion (ref. 25/00193/SCR_L). Part of the site was subject to a now lapsed ‘outline’ application for housing and a retail unit and the associated environmental screening application (ref. 06/00576/OUT and 06/00677/SCR_L).”

“The conclusion and recommendation are for approval subject to conditions that will mitigate effects. The recommendation considers that the siting of the development is acceptable. It is acknowledged that there will be traffic impacts, however these will lessen over time once the development is completed and normal car and bus transport is integrated into the existing A-class road which serves the area.”

“Overall, the development is assessed to be in accordance with the Development Plan, and the recommendation is for approval.”

“The key issues raised through representation; consultees and the policy assessment are the principle of the development at this location; construction traffic, transport, and changes to the highway; loss of agricultural land; housing density and tenure; service and infrastructure capacity, including schools; provision of play facilities; and surface water flooding and drainage provision.”

“Comhairle Archaeology Service 9.6 Comhairle Archaeology Service – ‘There are no Historic Environment Records within the development boundary; however, this general surrounding area was the location for Second World War accommodation and infrastructure associated with airfield of RAF Stornoway. Potentially evidence from this period of activity may be present on the site. ...”

“Comhairle Education Services 9.12 Comhairle Education services advised that there are no major issues for primary capacity, but early years capacity is a significant issue. Melbost West Project is in the Stornoway Primary nursery area, which is full and is adjacent to the Sgoil an Rubha nursery area which is also full.”

“Sandwick Community Council 9.13 Sandwick Community Council was consulted in a statutory capacity. The have objected to the development for the following reasons: - Loss of Prime Agricultural Land. - Environmental and Drainage Concerns – waterlogging, and downstream flooding; sensitive habitat and contribution to biodiversity. - Inadequate Infrastructure and Road Concerns. - Unacceptable Road Alteration: Proposed Roundabout on A866. - Scale, Social Issues, and Maintenance.”

“Stornoway Community Council 9.14 Stornoway Community Council was consulted in a non-statutory capacity. They provided a number of comments, which are summarised below: - Given that the likely tenants for the Melbost West Houses seem likely to be people of working age, a very specific concern was expressed that school capacity, particularly at Stornoway Primary, may be insufficient if there is a significant increase in children of primary school age.”

“It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the application subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the Report.”