A planning application for a new house on croft land in Lochaber has been approved by Highland councillors – despite five objections and all the local members voting against it.
And Councillor Bill Clark, Caol and Mallaig, has renewed his call for planning decisions to be devolved to the relevant area.
The south planning applications committee was divided on whether permission should be granted for a five-bedroom detached house on land at Camaghael, Fort William, with nine voting for and nine – including all three Lochaber members present at the meeting in Inverness – voting against.
Committee chairman Councillor Jimmy Gray, who represents Inverness Millburn and is convener of the council, then used his casting vote in favour of granting permission for the application by Neil and Pat MacNiven, of Benlochy, Camaghael, in line with the recommendation by area planning manager Allan Todd.
Mr Todd said: “The proposals accord with the provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of the application.”
However, Mr Clark objected to the application because he felt it was “not compatible with the existing pattern of development” in the area.
He yesterday said: “Local members did not get the support of other members from outwith Lochaber.
“It seems crazy that the application was approved by people who come from places such as Inverness, Nairn and Aviemore, when all the local members were opposed to it – and the casting vote came from Councillor Gray, who lives in Inverness.
“It’s my view and always has been my view that planning should be a devolved matter.”
Mr Clark added that the proposed house site was within the Fort William settlement development area, which included Blar Mhor and took in the medical centre, the new police and ambulance stations and hopefully, at sometime in the future, a supermarket and other retail outlets.
He said: “There is a barrier of trees between the area that has been cleared and the arable land next to the single track road.
“All the housing is on the opposite side of the road to the application site so it will not reflect the existing character of this area.
“The public want to see consistency in planning matters and this is not being consistent.”
Mr Gray could not be contacted for comment yesterday.