CONTROVERSIAL plans to build three new houses close to the border between East and South Ayrshire will go before councillors this week.

The proposals for a site at Purclewan Mill, north-west of Hollybush, have attracted 19 objections from members of the public – all of them residents living nearby.

Applicants Mr and Mrs D. Russell, of Ayr, are seeking planning permission to build three detached houses, each with seven bedrooms – or six bedrooms and two lounge areas – plus detached garages.

The applicants are also seeking a ‘change of use’ for the site, from agricultural land to domestic and recreational use.

The objectors have raised concerns over drainage, flooding, road traffic and privacy.

One objector, quoted in a report on the planning application, also asks that the reasons for the new development be “carefully examined” and says: “Is it relevant to local workforce needs and can it be justified or is it simply a cynical attempt to take advantage of rising house prices to build and sell expensive houses in the countryside on pristine land?”

And officials from East Ayrshire Council, within whose boundaries the application site is located, also say the application should be refused – not because of any concern at the allegedly “cynical” nature of the proposals, but because they do not comply with two policies in the National Planning Framewok, one on design, quality and place and the other on rural development.

In a report on the application, council officials say: “Overall, whiles the principle of the development is capable of compliance with the LDP [local development plan], it is not considered that the detail of the development is suitably scaled, sited and designed to be in keeping with this area in particular.”

The application site is located close to a development of six houses at Purclewan Mill itself, where the original mill, farm buildings and outbuildings were converted and turned into six houses under a separate planning application, permission for which was granted in 2007.

The application will be considered by the council’s planning committee this Friday, April 21.