CAMPAIGNING Lochside residents have won a second battle to prevent a concrete plant business being set up near their homes.
Councillors last week refused a fresh planning application for the installation of a self-batching concrete station on Irongray Road at Lochside Industrial Estate.
In February this year, Dumfries businessman Mr L Scott was disappointed when Dumfries and Galloway Council's planning committee turned down his proposals to launch the concrete plant operation.
He returned with scaled down plans, reduced from eight metres in height to 4.85m and with extra steps to reduce the visual impact, but elected members once again refused. They were convinced once again that this spot at Lochside Industrial Estate would negatively impact nearby residents.
Sixty-six objectors raised concerns about noise, pollution, and the negative visual impact that the plant would have on the area.
One objector, John Clark, submitted a letter to the planning committee. He wrote: "I would support such a business, but not at this location.
"This concrete station is being sited very, very close to a busy pavement - the only pavement that connects Woodlands houses to Dumfries.
"Can the planning officer categorically state that dust masks will never need to be worn for any circumstances whatsoever associated with this planned facility, and that public health will never be at risk under the terms of the Human Rights Act?"
The planning application comprised of the erection of a self-batching concrete station and associated infrastructure and landscaping.
It was explained that the proposed machinery would reach a maximum height of 4.85m, be set within trees in different directions, and that a 2.7m high timber acoustic fence would be in place.
A self-batching concrete station is a compact facility, rather than a large industrial unit, and the application also sought permission for the siting of a cabin, boundary fence, and aggregate stores.
Council planning case officer Joshua Scott was satisfied with the updated plans and recommended that the concrete plant business be approved.
However, councillors took on board concerns from objectors around noise, pollution, and the negative visual impact.
Annandale and Eskdale Councillor Archie Dryburgh tabled a motion for the application to be refused, which was seconded by Nith Councillor David Slater.
The committee agreed to reject the plans, although council leader Stephen Thompson had sympathy with the applicant.
He said: "This is clearly quite a difficult one in the sense that the applicant has come back and tried to make reasonable adjustments to what they're putting forward to ensure they address, as much as possible, the concerns that were raised the last time."