Police object to taxi licence
A STRANRAER man's bid to be granted a taxi drivers' licence was refused this week after he failed to show up at a meeting to determine his application.
James Garrett had applied in October for the licence to Wigtown Area Committee and his case was heard at Wednesday's meeting in his absence.
An objection had been lodged by the chief constable given Garrett's previous convictions for drink driving and speeding, which he felt deemed him not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.
Councillor Willie Scobie said that given the dates of the convictions, perhaps the committee could consider Garrett to be suitable now.
He added: "Without trying to take away from the seriousness of the convictions, it has to be said that any one of us could fall foul. Some time has elapsed since these dates."
But councillor Sandra McDowall disagreed and said: "People whose job it is to transport others should think very hard before drink driving - as should all of us, but these people have more to lose than most."
Councillor Grahame Forster seconded Willie Scobie but the committee ultimately agreed to refuse the appllication.
PERMISSION was granted this week for a licence to operate a taxi office under the management of Cabs 'R' Us at 33 St John Street, Stranraer.
New legislation brought in last year meant anyone using premises for hiring out vehicles must have a licence and this was received by Wigtown Area Committee.
But late objections were received to Wigtown Area Committee from Brian Smith, Brian Knowles and Murdina Keegans who claimed that the statutory information notice, which notified the public of the intentions for the premises and gave them a chance to object, had not been displayed for the required 21 days.
However, the committee agreed to grant the licence.
VIEWS over Portpatrick will be better appreciated by the inhabitants of one house in the village after preliminary permission was granted for a balcony in its roof space this week.
The application by Mr Hoad for a property at 19 South Crescent was granted by Wigtown Area Committee at their monthly meeting on Wednesday but will have to be finalised by the council's planning, housing and environment committee before work can begin.
The plan is to build a balcony between two dormer windows on the property but some councillors felt the alterations would be detrimental to the outstanding conservation area around Portpatrick.
Councillor Iain Dick said that Portpatrick Community Council have been staunch guardians of the conservation area for years and as they haven't objected to the application, he can't find reasons to either.
However, councillor Sandra McDowall said: "Portpatrick is a really special place and we have a duty of care to protect it for future generations.
"I can understand people wanting to make the most of the view but I feel this would ruin the streetscape."
Councillor Robert Higgins pointed out that the roofline of the village is a mixture of heights, shapes and colours and that a balcony wouldn't make a huge difference.
The application, which also included alterations to the rear of the property, was agreed.
ALTERATIONS to Belmont Nursing Home in Stranraer were approved on Wednesday.
Wigtown Area Committee passed building work which will add 26 car parking spaces and 12 extra bed spaces.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Newton Stewart
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
