A businessman has asked East Ayrshire councillors to overturn a planning officer’s decision to refuse three seven bedroom villas – each with its own cinema room, three car garage and sauna.

Mr I. Ahmed, whose address is given as Darnley in the southside of Glasgow, had earlier unsuccessfully submitted plans for three even larger villas near the Ballochmyle Estate, between Mauchline and Catrine, in 2021.

Each of those featured a six-vehicle garage.

In the original application Mr Ahmed said he wanted to build the properties for himself and his two sons.

But planning officials from East Ayrshire Council turned down the application, saying scale of the properties was ‘inappropriate’ for the rural setting, that the development was not in an existing ‘cluster’, and that did not have the necessary road access.

Having seen that application refused, Mr Ahmed submitted a fresh application which sought to address the reasons for the refusal, with a reduced footprint and smaller garages, each with room for three cars rather than six.

However, planners once again refused the application, which was reported in the Cumnock Chronicle.

READ MORE: Plans for seven-bedroom homes on luxury estate near Mauchline refused

Mr Ahmed has now appealed against the decision, although the supporting document for the appeal is the same as the one submitted as part of the application.

It shows the applicant believes he has addressed the reasons for the previously refused application.

Mr Ahmed’s agent has also provided a statement making the case for overturning the refusal, largely focussing on his client’s role as an employer in East Ayrshire, the proximity to the Ballochmyle Estate, and reported goodwill from the local community.

The additional housing within the Milestone Development also addresses the issues around the application being outwith an established cluster and also provides road access, the appeal states.

The statement reads: “Mr Ahmed is looking for approval to build three exclusive villas for himself and his two sons to live in, and not as a business venture or development for resale.

“Mr Ahmed wants to invest more money into the local area and provide a setting for his family to live in the area, close by their current businesses.

“The proposed houses are in an exclusive setting and cannot be seen from the roadside on any side of the land.

"The proposal also details that there will be no removal of any trees and the development will complement to existing trees/shrubs/greenery.

“This proposal will not affect anyone in the surrounding area.

“You will see Mr Ahmed is a key employer in the local area and the family own multiple shops, including on Kilmarnock Road, Mauchline and St Germain Street, Catrine.

“There was a newspaper article written about this planning application recently, and the public were all wishing Mr Ahmed all the best and thought it was a great gesture that they want to build new houses to live in the local area.

“There was no negative feedback at all.

“Mr Ahmed and his family are key members of this community, and I write this appeal to ask that you take all of the above info consideration when reviewing this appeal.

"We seek your approval to over-turn the planning officer’s recent refusal of this application.”

A local review body comprising members of the council's planning committee will consider the appeal on Tuesday, April 23.