A SITE visit will take place before the council decides on plans for a housing development on the outskirts of Barrhead.

We previously reported that proposals to build 39 homes by Briar Homes were recommended for refusal by council planners.

Neighbours had objected to the bid to develop land at Lyoncross Farm, off Aurs Road.

New homes are currently under construction to the south and west of the site.

At a planning committee meeting last week, a decision was put off until a site visit has taken place.

Councillor Betty Cunningham said: “I know the site very well. The houses that are being proposed, I’m surprised there’s not a lot more to be honest because it is a prime site.

“I certainly will not be knocking back any houses being built in Barrhead because we’re crying out for them.

“There’s talk about connection with water. That’s all been done at the very early stages [of the current development]. I don’t see where the water comes into it because it was put in right up to the top end of the site, so I don’t know why that’s a problem.

“I certainly would ask you to have a good look at this. We don’t want to reject houses because we badly need them.”

Councillor Paul Edlin added: “I came into this heading towards accepting the recommendations to oppose the development.

“But I’ve heard councillor Cunningham’s comments, and I’m quite torn having heard them.”

The councillor asked: “I wonder if we could defer decision on this and have a site visit before we make a decision, please?”

Objection reasons included the lack of affordable housing in the plan, the impact on Dams to Darnley Country Park and the loss of “established” trees.

Officials raised concerns that the development would have “a significant adverse impact” on the park through loss of land and severing the route of a “key access link”.

Councillor Andrew Morrison said: “It seems the major objection is the loss of amenity of the country park, and if it is a loss of visual amenity, then a site visit is important.”

A decision to object or approve the plans will take place at a later date.

The proposed development includes 39 detached homes and plans to retain the existing, listed farmhouse.

Briar Homes said the farmhouse, which would be refurbished under a future application, will be “an anchor point in the development, providing a sense of place and continuity to the site”.

The development will provide three, four and five-bed detached properties for private sale and a “high level of recreational and amenity space for residents”, the developers added, describing the project as “attractive to a wide range of households”.

Planners had recommended refusal as the proposal was “not anticipated or planned for” within a Barrhead South masterplan, and does not meet affordable housing requirements.