Demolition could begin early next year at a property known as Sunnybank, which forms part of a row of houses that border the school.
Developer Philip Wood submitted plans for a slightly larger nine-home scheme in May but withdrew the application following complaints from neighbours, who were concerned about the number of units, the close proximity of the new building to their homes, access for emergency vehicles, the location of visitor parking and an increase in traffic in the shared lane.
Mr Wood reconsidered the plans and reduced the plans from nine flats to eight, moved the building’s boundaries away from neighbours on both sides and moved visitor parking from the lane to the side of the building.
The latest scheme, designs for which were produced by MAC Architectural Services, was supported by the Planning Department and received the unanimous backing of the Planning Applications Committee at this month’s public session.
Mr Wood said: ‘The changes have probably made it much neater and a nicer scheme in my opinion.
‘I think because it’s in the built-up zone, the panel appreciated the design and size of the units.
‘It was great to get unanimous support.
‘It’s quite a large site and it almost looks quite odd that it has one bungalow on it while the rest of the lane has three to four-storey town houses.
‘When it’s finished I think residents will be really happy with the improvements to the area.’
Under the plans developers are due to re-tarmac the run-down shared lane, the pillars to the entrance of the lane will be refurbished and clad in granite, the road outside Sunnybank is due to be widened and a pavement will be added outside the property.
A design statement included with the planning application said: ‘We feel the proposed scheme submitted will enhance the area, make use of a dilapidated site in the built-up zone and provide high-quality accommodation out of town.’
Several objections to the plans were submitted to the Planning Department earlier this year, including these comments:
