A proposed tourism development near Cumbernauld has been refused planning permission.

Applicant John Hannigan had requested that North Lanarkshire Council grant planning permission for a development including 65 holiday lodges, a farmhouse, and an agricultural building to be built at Coathill Farm in Luggiebank.

However planning officers deemed the proposal was an “unacceptable departure” from green belt policy as well as “poorly located” in terms of access to amenities and public transport, and recommended that councillors refuse planning permission.

The application attracted 60 objections, including several from the same household.

In addition to the site being green belt, the various objections included the impact on local wildlife, lack of pedestrian access to the site due to the absence of street lighting and pavenents, issues arising from increased traffic and visitors and a lack of nearby facilities for tourists to visit.

The planning officers’ recommendation was unanimously supported by the council’s planning committee and the application was therefore refused.