A controversial renovation of a waterfront house in Fairlie has been approved on appeal – despite being rejected by council planners.

Officials at North Ayrshire Council had previously rejected the proposed extension for 14A Ferry Road, labelling the planned changes “visually jarring”.

However, the case was later approved by councillors at a meeting of the council’s Local Review Body on August 23 after the applicant behind the proposals appealed against the rejection.

The proposal on Ferry Road, which itself has seen extensive alterations over the years, is for a full renovation of the dwellinghouse including the erection of a two-storey extension to the rear.

Neil McNaught, who put forward the application, said that the renovations would create an “economically and environmentally friendly family home”.

However, planning officer John Mack had rejected the proposals, saying the plans were not in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Despite an invite to visit the site, councillors on the Local Review Body decided that there was sufficient information to make a decision without one.

Councillors Cameron Inglis and chair Timothy Billings spoke in favour of approving the plans, due to the renovations on other properties in the waterfront row of homes.

Cllr Billings said: “I can see both sides, but I would agree with councillor Inglis that there is a case to be made for accepting.

“If you go back and look at what it used to look like, this would totally be out of keeping and inappropriate.

“However, it’s had such a large number of changes over the years where most of the buildings have had some form of change.

“Whilst we acknowledge that this is a modern extension to a traditional house and will change that building, all of the others have had some form of change and there is no consistency of style.”

Councillor Scott Davidson said that whilst he was not against approving the application, noted that the extension planned was much more modern than others in the area.

He said: “I know the area fairly well and while I appreciate the applicant's position, the alterations that were made tie in a bit.

“This is an extremely modern applications that’s in front of us. The flat roof is the height of the peak next door, whilst the others blend in a bit better with a more antiquated finish.

“This will be extremely modern and totally out of character for that row, and it’s a significant size of project.”

Councillor Inglis proposed a motion to grant the application, which was seconded by councillor Jim Montgomerie and unanimously agreed by the rest of the Local Review Body.