A PLANNING application to build a house in Prestwick has been refused.

The site, which sits on Seagate was rejected after it was deemed ‘inappropriate’ by councillors.

The proposed development was on a substantial area of open space around 1900 sq m located to the west of St Nicholas’s Church between Seagate and Mansewell Road.

Planning permission was asked for the build of a single storey detached house with integral garage, with external materials proposed of a mix of facing brick/render and tiled roof.  

Vehicular access to the proposed development was to be taken from Seagate. 

Both Historic Environment Scotland and West of Scotland Archaeology Service disagreed with the development, along with 15 other objectors.

West of Scotland Archaeology Service objected to the proposal on the basis that “it will have a detrimental impact on the setting of the scheduled St Nicholas’s Church. Further, there is potential for significant adverse archaeological impact.”

Historic Environment Scotland also objected to the proposal based on “the development adversely impacts upon the setting of the adjacent listed building and scheduled monument.”

Prestwick South Community Council put in their objections and said: “The remains of the church are likely to be the oldest known structure in the town.

“The remains are particularly significant and ‘stand out’ when viewed from the trains approaching Prestwick Town Station from the north. It is our opinion that a development proposed would impact significantly on the setting of the remains of St Nicholas Church and for that reason we are formally objecting.”

It was explained at the Regulatory Panel at the South Ayrshire Council buildings last week that the development site was not on flat ground and there was no information on how they would plant the house and that there had been previous refusals for building on the site.

Furthermore, the planned description was right next to St Nicholas Church which is a scheduled monument and the graveyard is category B listed.

Cllr Peter Convery, said: “It would have been fascinating to see it if it was ever to be built but I don’t think that I would agree with it.”

Cllr Craig MacKay added: “I am quite amazed with the lack of effort that the applicant has put into the context and the geography of the site – it just seems like an entirely inappropriate proposal.”