Planning farce makes chairman cringe
(From The Orcadian dated January 25, 2000)

A controversial decision taken at this week's planning committee was described as an absolute farce with even the chairman admitting that it made her cringe.

Councillors at Tuesday's meeting recommended that a new housing area should be developed in Rendall, despite official recommendations to the contrary and major concerns by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The area lies just to the north of Norseman where three houses already exist. Council officials argued that there was little rationale in creating another local housing area at the location.

"Opportunities for new housing development in this area are provided by the local housing area at Norseman, which is less than 500 metres away, and at the rural settlement at Lyron, which is 200 metres north of the site," explained the report.

It also added that areas should not be designated to allow planning permission for a single house to be approved.

SNH also raised concerns, describing the proposed cluster as inappropriate and having a significant impact on the landscape.

But councillor for the area Robert Cormack won support for designating a reduced area as a housing site on the west side of the main road.

And Councillor Jim Foubister launched an attack on SNH, suggesting that the recommendation to reject the plans was based on "a non-elected quango."

Referring to previous comments by OIC convener to go to war on quangos, Councillor Foubister added: "I think it is time war was declared!"

Committee chairman Councillor Ann Sutherland pointed out though that SNH had a right to make comments on the decision.

"That right does not take precedent over elected members," added Councillor Foubister.

Councillor Jim Sinclair said there was no sense is supporting Councillor Cormack's proposal though.

"This flies in the face of common sense and this flies in the face of the local plan," he said. "It is only 200 metres from one cluster and 500 metres from another cluster. This is purely a device to get permission for one house which could not otherwise be built in that area."

Councillor Cormack was at first unsure what part of the area he wanted to reduce in size. He eventually agreed to designate the west side of the main road as a housing area after being told that he was being too vague by Councillor Sutherland.

His proposal was agreed by seven votes to four, a decision described as an "absolute farce" by Councillor Sinclair who said that it showed that anyone could build a house anywhere in Orkney.

Birsay Councillor Keith Johnson added: "To build a house on this land, you need your head seen to. It is totally unsuitable."

He continued: "To use a device like this to get a housing site is going to make our plan mean nothing."

Councillor Johnson attempted to get the item deferred, but he was outvoted.

Councillor Sutherland, who was one of the four to vote against Councillor Cormack summed up: "I cringe at the way this committee makes decisions," she said. "I hope we don't live to regret it."