100 signatures reached
To: North Ayrshire Council
Protect Brisbane Glen’s Working Farmland and Astronomical Heritage
We, the undersigned, object to the proposed housing development on working farmland at Brisbane Mains, Brisbane Glen, Largs. We ask North Ayrshire Council to retain this land for agricultural use and resist its allocation or approval for housing, protecting its productive value, rural character and historic surroundings.
Why is this important?
Our concerns are:
1. Loss of productive farmland
The fields are used for beef cattle and winter-feed production and are reported to fall within Agricultural Payment Region 1. Their development would permanently remove land supporting food production. Its agricultural value should be properly assessed, including confirmation of its land-capability classification.
The parcels concerned are NS/20897/61565 and NS/20951/61761.
2. Harm to Brisbane Observatory and its historic setting
Brisbane Observatory is an important surviving example of Scotland’s early astronomical observatories, associated with Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane. Its significance includes its rural surroundings and its functional relationship with the meridian pillars.
Housing, roads, parking and associated lighting could materially alter this setting. Assessment must consider the observatory and pillars together, including their historic alignments, relevant sightlines and the ability of future generations to understand the site.
The settings of nearby heritage structures—including Brisbane Mains Bridge and Brisbane Mains Farm—also require careful consideration.
3. Development outside the town boundary and within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
The proposed development lies outwith the Largs town boundary and within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
It would extend housing, roads, parking and associated lighting into working countryside, changing the rural character of this part of Brisbane Glen. We ask North Ayrshire Council to protect that landscape and give full consideration to the site’s location within the Regional Park.
Landscaped open space within a housing development would not preserve the existing agricultural landscape or its contribution to the setting of Brisbane Observatory and the meridian pillars.
4. Road safety and additional traffic
The proposed bridge access across Noddsdale Water raises concerns about an additional junction near Brisbane Bridge, where existing accesses serve Brisbane Glen Road, Brisbane Glen Cemetery, Brisbane Lodge and Kilburn Water.
Residents are concerned about the combination of junctions, the bend and the slope. A transport assessment should examine visibility, vehicle movements, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and construction traffic.
The layout also indicates a potential connection to another housing site. Any assessment should consider the combined traffic from developments that could use this access.
5. Pressure on services and infrastructure
Residents are concerned about additional demand on schools, GP and dental services, policing and social care.
Before any decision, there should be clear evidence of sufficient capacity—or deliverable improvements—to accommodate the development, including water supply, sewage treatment and drainage.
6. Wildlife and habitat
The fields, woodland edges and watercourse form a connected landscape used by wildlife. A badger sett has been reported behind Kilburn Water and requires appropriate investigation.
Ecological assessment should address potential habitat loss, disturbance, lighting and effects on wildlife movement, alongside impacts from bridge construction and works near Noddsdale Water.
7. The combined impact
These concerns must be considered together: the permanent loss of productive farmland, changes to an important historic landscape, additional traffic, pressure on services and effects on wildlife.
We ask North Ayrshire Council to protect these fields from housing development and safeguard the rural setting of Brisbane Observatory and its meridian pillars for future generations.
1. Loss of productive farmland
The fields are used for beef cattle and winter-feed production and are reported to fall within Agricultural Payment Region 1. Their development would permanently remove land supporting food production. Its agricultural value should be properly assessed, including confirmation of its land-capability classification.
The parcels concerned are NS/20897/61565 and NS/20951/61761.
2. Harm to Brisbane Observatory and its historic setting
Brisbane Observatory is an important surviving example of Scotland’s early astronomical observatories, associated with Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane. Its significance includes its rural surroundings and its functional relationship with the meridian pillars.
Housing, roads, parking and associated lighting could materially alter this setting. Assessment must consider the observatory and pillars together, including their historic alignments, relevant sightlines and the ability of future generations to understand the site.
The settings of nearby heritage structures—including Brisbane Mains Bridge and Brisbane Mains Farm—also require careful consideration.
3. Development outside the town boundary and within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
The proposed development lies outwith the Largs town boundary and within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
It would extend housing, roads, parking and associated lighting into working countryside, changing the rural character of this part of Brisbane Glen. We ask North Ayrshire Council to protect that landscape and give full consideration to the site’s location within the Regional Park.
Landscaped open space within a housing development would not preserve the existing agricultural landscape or its contribution to the setting of Brisbane Observatory and the meridian pillars.
4. Road safety and additional traffic
The proposed bridge access across Noddsdale Water raises concerns about an additional junction near Brisbane Bridge, where existing accesses serve Brisbane Glen Road, Brisbane Glen Cemetery, Brisbane Lodge and Kilburn Water.
Residents are concerned about the combination of junctions, the bend and the slope. A transport assessment should examine visibility, vehicle movements, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and construction traffic.
The layout also indicates a potential connection to another housing site. Any assessment should consider the combined traffic from developments that could use this access.
5. Pressure on services and infrastructure
Residents are concerned about additional demand on schools, GP and dental services, policing and social care.
Before any decision, there should be clear evidence of sufficient capacity—or deliverable improvements—to accommodate the development, including water supply, sewage treatment and drainage.
6. Wildlife and habitat
The fields, woodland edges and watercourse form a connected landscape used by wildlife. A badger sett has been reported behind Kilburn Water and requires appropriate investigation.
Ecological assessment should address potential habitat loss, disturbance, lighting and effects on wildlife movement, alongside impacts from bridge construction and works near Noddsdale Water.
7. The combined impact
These concerns must be considered together: the permanent loss of productive farmland, changes to an important historic landscape, additional traffic, pressure on services and effects on wildlife.
We ask North Ayrshire Council to protect these fields from housing development and safeguard the rural setting of Brisbane Observatory and its meridian pillars for future generations.
