Councillors have heard horror stories of parking problems in Kirriemuir’s own nightmare on Elm street.
The parking pressures were highlighted in a bid for two new homes in the garden ground of a mansion on Brechin Road, but a plan to take access off Elm Road led to a flood of neighbouring objections.
Development standards committee councillors were shown a plan indicating a pair of T-shaped houses for the permission in principle application, but the meeting was addressed by two neighbours who said parking was already in short supply.
Resident Alex Spasic told the committee: “There are 29 properties and 12 parking spaces. Any loss of parking spaces will lead to further pressure on the existing residents, some of whom are disabled and have chronic illnesses.”
Planning officials recommended approval and said that the two homes could be accommodated without causing significant additional impact and the applicant’s agent said the detailed layout could be worked to improve the width in the street for pedestrians and traffic flow.
Egress onto Brechin Road had been considered but the committee heard that was not the favoured option.
A road officer told councillors: “It’s unfortunate that there are major pressures on on-street parking, but no-one has a right to park on a road and that’s why we don’t think it appropriate to recommend refusal in this instance.”
Kirriemuir councillor Jeanette Gaul said: “Parking in Elm Road is at a premium, people are parking on the pavement all the time.
“I’m glad the agent is willing to look at the parking issue, but there is an entrance already on Brechin Road for this and I’d like the broads and planning department to look seriously at the entry to these houses.
“I don’t have any objection to the houses coming forward, my problem is the amount of parking available, with people having to go onto Brechin Road because they can’t find a space.”
