Dumfries and Galloway transport network campaigner calls for plans for homes on former Crossmichael railway yard to be rejected

A transport network campaigner is urging the council to reject a plan for two homes on former railway yard ground in Crossmichael.

Chris Rosindale of Reopen the Stranraer-Dumfries Railway group says approving the development would lessen any chance of the link ever being reinstated.

Planning permission for two houses on the same ground – which cuts across the old track bed – have twice previously been approved in principle.

But Mr Rosindale, from Kippford, claims the new bid is counter to the council’s own policy of preserving defunct rail routes for possible future use.

He said in his objection: “This will create yet another blockage on the route of the former Dumfries to Stranraer railway, which myself and others are currently campaigning to have re-opened to re-instate a vital transport route across the region.

“The council’s planning department will likely remember the public controversy over the Lochanhead Station Bridge, on the same railway route, after Highways England threatened to fill it in with gravel and concrete earlier this year.

“After initially approving this work, the council was later forced to withdraw this approval following pressure from myself and fellow campaigners, local media, UK-wide campaign groups and local politicians.”

Mr Rosindale pointed out that the authority’s own local plan had a presumption against development “on or adjacent to former railway routes with a reasonable prospect of being reopened”.

Crossmichael Community Council, which is behind plans for a cycle path along the former line, has also lodged a comment.

Chairman Richard Middleton said: “It’s a representation rather than an objection with a strong steer that we would be against any development that might adversely affect the possibility of creating a cycleway through Crossmichael from Parton to Castle Douglas.”

Crossmichael Gala Committee chairman Jim McClelland believes the council policy of safeguarding old rail routes has come too late.

He said: “It’s like trying to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.

“If you were to try and walk the old railway track there are two houses on it down The Lane and more at Roan Park.

“There’s also three houses on the line at Parton.

“The council has slipped up because if they had intervened earlier there could have been a cycle way or walkway all round the loch.”

In the supporting statement for the housing bid, agents Edgar Design Ltd said: “There have been two previous successful planning applications for two building plots, in principle, on the site.”