MEMBERS of the planning committee have advised the full council to refuse permission for 99 new homes at Duntocher.

Local residents expressed their concerns at the proposals for 99 houses on Duntiglennan Fields, which was likely to include detached and semi-detached houses off Farm Road, during last Wednesday’s meeting.

There were 116 objections to the Barratt Homes plans, which would see the development over two fields connected to each other by a narrow corridor.

Concerned resident, William Blair, said: “My main concern is the congestion on Farm Road which is currently very difficult to negotiate.

“The road is blocked by parked cars and it is turned into a single-track road 24 hours a day. It is even busier when there is a football match on or a funeral service at the local church.

“Research has shown that additional housing would increase the flow of traffic by 54 per cent. The road is already congested and that is why we object to more housing.”

Read more: Plans for 99 homes at Duntiglennan Field set to be rejected

Other objectors who attended the meeting agreed that Farm Road was already in “gridlock” and the development would only make this worse.

A planning consultant for Barratt Homes, who made the application after repeated attempts by Taylor Wimpey were rejected, said the development would help address a housing shortfall.

David Campbell said: “This development would allow people to stay in the area or move back here. There is an insufficient land allocation for housing developments and there is shortfall of land for 250 to 300 homes in West Dunbartonshire.”

But members of the planning committee disagreed.

Independent, Bailie Dennis Agnew, said: “We are surrounded by beautiful and wonderful countryside, which mitigates our air pollution.

“If we didn’t have this greenbelt in place, the council area would be developed right up to Loch Lomond.”

Councillors agreed the land should be protected. They will now refer the application to full council for determination while recommending it should be refused. The full council meets on Jan 29.