A NEW housing development on the south side of Largs with 30 flats has been given the go-ahead despite public opposition.


Council planners have approved the construction of new properties, with panoramic sea views, to replace prominent mansion Walkerstone House.
GHG Holdings Ltd applied for planning permission for the new build at Irvine Road, which will include 50 car parking spaces.
A total of 17 objections were received about the development but the council’s planning committee has given the green light subject to conditions.
Concerns had been raised about the visual impact of the flats and the design was branded ‘uninspiring’.
But planners have stated that they believe the building is appropriate for the site.
The stately home it will replace is not listed and concerns that it had important historical value and should not be demolished were dismissed.
Walkerstone comprises two properties which have been unoccupied and boarded up since July 2015. 
The main building is a two-storey villa dating to 1924 with a bungalow as a gatehouse. 
The four new flatted blocks will be arranged in two rows. 
The properties will be aimed at ‘mature people wishing to downsize from large family homes’, according to the developers.
The price paid by property developers for the overall site of 1.6 acres in February last year was £611,000, according to the Right Move website.
The six bedroom detached house was marketed at the time by Right Move as a ‘substantial mansion house with fine sea views requiring major refurbishment’ with ‘potential for residential development’ and ‘extensive gardens and woodland’.
At the planning committee, Councillor Timothy Billings, seconded by Councillor Tom Marshall, moved to grant the application subject to conditions, and the motion was carried.
A spokesperson for GHG Holdings Ltd said: “The proposed development comprises four three storey blocks which are appropriate in scale to the site and local context. 
“The materials proposed are natural slate on thereof and a combination of natural stone and render on walls which are sympathetic to the construction of the existing buildings.
“The advice of selling agents in Largs has been sought regarding likely purchasers of the proposed flats. 
“It is envisaged that the flats will appeal to mature people wishing to downsize from large family homes. 
“Balconies giving immediate access to the outside are considered important. 
“Close proximity to the waterfront is thought to be advantageous.”
Cllr Tom Marshall, chair of the planning committee, welcomed the approval for the project.
He said: “There have been a lot of negotiations between council planning and the developers and the houses have moved further back from the trunk road — and the properties are two and a half storeys in height instead of three storey.
“The layout is better and they’ve retained a fair number of trees — I think it will work well.”