TALKS are ongoing over "viability issues" said to be delaying plans for a major new housing development in Auchinleck.
Councillors approved plans by Ayr-based Fitzsimmons Construction for a development of nearly 100 properties at Dalshalloch Wood, close to the Templeton roundabout on the western edge of the village, in October 2022.
We reported back in April how a report to the planning committee at East Ayrshire Council (EAC) had highlighted potential issues relating to the building of the 95 new homes at the site.
However, a legal agreement requires to be struck between the developer and the council before building work can get under way.
Now a new quarterly report looking at an update on planning applications in East Ayrshire that have been approved but not taken forward has revealed that concerns remain over developer payments for the right to build on the land.
The council's Greener Communities team and officials from the authority's facilities and property management department are in discussions with the developer.
READ MORE: Council approve plans for 95 new homes in Auchinleck
The report states that the agent has "suggested viability issues re developer contribution and payment in lieu of open space, to be discussed further".
It adds: "Legal agreement drafting [is] on hold following submission of [a] viability statement from [the] applicant in respect of developer contributions".
The previous report, published in April, stated that the plans, which attracted six objections from members of the public, could have to be brought back to the authority's planning committee if the issues are not resolved.
However, the most recent report does not mention the potential of plans being brought back before councillors.
The report will go before EAC's planning committee on Friday, August 23.
Under the application which was approved nearly two years ago, a mix of homes with two, three and four bedrooms and of terraced, semi-detached and detached designs, are planned for the site.
The main access point would be on Pennyland Road, with other non-vehicular access points on the west, north and east sides of the site, three of them to or from Merlin Loch Park.
It was said that the majority of trees in the wooded area would have to be felled.
Part of the development area includes Auchinleck's former dog racing track.
When permission was originally granted, council officials said the developers hoped to retain as many of the deciduous trees currently at the site as possible, and pointed out that trees would be retained around much of the perimeter.
The plans also include public open space at the north and west sides of the site as well as a children's play area, with two bus stops indicated on Pennyland Road.
Talks were also held between the developer and Auchinleck Community Council around the future of the Marie Curie Field of Hope, which sits within the development site.
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