Welcome to Oban and Fort William Planning Ahead – The Press and Journal’s weekly planning round-up.
It looks at applications submitted to Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council.
It joins our north-east and Inverness series, which offer readers a selection of the most interesting local planning applications.
This week, we feature a refused application for a holiday pod in Fort William – plus an approved holiday let in the same town.
In Oban, we look at two applications to renew planning permission in principle for two new houses in Glenlonan and a plan for two Polycrubs.
Application for holiday pod in Fort William refused
An application for a holiday pod at 22 Ardgour Road in Caol has been refused despite no objections from neighbours.
Documents state: “The proposed pod would be situated within the rear garden.
“The area to the rear of the curtilage is bound by a communal parking area (which consists of undefined spaces) and open green space.
“There are a number of houses whose back gardens are also bounded by this space, on Telford Road, Mackay Crescent and Ardgour Road.”
Concerns for neighbours if plan approved
The handling notice said: “Considering the close relationship of adjoining garden boundaries to the rear of the terraced row of houses on Ardgour Road, the amenity enjoyed by neighbouring occupiers would be significantly adversely affected by the introduction of a holiday letting unit, and it would result in the loss of residential character from these private amenity spaces.”
“The positioning of the pod, in close proximity to nearby properties and loss of garden space, would reduce the enjoyment expected of private amenity spaces due to the increased visitor activity associated with the proposed pod, with the likely occurrence of noise, disturbance and overlooking from the upstairs windows of neighbouring properties.
“In addition, vehicular access to the rear of the site is taken via a no-through road between the residential homes on Ardgour Road and Telford Road, which leads to the communal car parking area and public open green space area, which is primarily for the use of the surrounding neighbouring residences.
“The introduction of a holiday let in this location would result in an increased use of the access, which would add to the loss of amenity to neighbouring residences.”
Area planning manager David Mudie wrote in a letter: “The proposed holiday accommodation unit would adversely impact upon neighbouring amenity, would result in an overdevelopment of the site and contribute to the loss of privacy and increased disturbance to neighbouring properties.”
Short-term let in Fort William approved
Plans to change a domestic double garage into a short-term letting unit have been approved for a house at 6 Riverside Grove in Lochyside, Fort William.
Plans submitted to Highland Council show that the garage area will be adapted to form one double bedroom, with a shower room, kitchen and living area.
In a decision notice approving the plan, area planning manager David Mudie wrote:Â “The proposals accord with the provisions of the Development Plan, and there are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of the application.”
House plan for Glenlonan in Oban
An application for two house plots at Ballygowan in Glenlonan was lodged on February 28 by Fair Planning and Design on behalf of Lupi Moll.
The application is to renew planning permission, which was originally approved in 2018.
Papers state: “Lupi Moll is a long-term resident at Strontoiller, which he owns together with Ballygowan Farm.
“Lupi is promoting tourism development at Ballygowan Farm and west Loch Nell through the Local Development Plan process and has the support of the economic development manager and the development plans team.
“To generate capital to fund design work, application stages, and initial outlays necessary to realise his aspirations for Ballygowan, he seeks planning permission in principle for two house plots approximately 270m and 400m north of Ballygowan Farm.
“The existing Ballygowan access will be upgraded at its junction with the Glenlonan public road to provide a perpendicular bellmouth.
“Both proposed houses would sit on very gently sloping clear ground contained by existing escarpments and, in the case of plot 2, with attractive mature trees.”
The application is due to be determined by May 6.
Plans for two Polycrubs in Oban
A crofter on Glenshellach Road has applied to build two Polycrubs – a Polytunnel/greenhouse hybrid designed to cope with high winds and harsh weather.
The application was lodged with Argyll and Bute Council on February 18, validated on February 24, and is due to be determined by March 31.
Determination on applications
Fort William
Plans have been approved for a foresty road at Roy Bridge.
Plans for two houses at North Laggan have been withdrawn.
Plans for six static caravans at Glencoe Hotel, Glencoe have been withdrawn.
Oban
The formation of a forest track plan in Tobermory has been approved.
Staying in Tobermory, a change of use of dwellinghouse to form dwellinghouse with bed and breakfast accommodation has been approved.
Renewal of planning permission in principle for a house at Ledaig has been approved.
We help you keep on top of planning matters
Read more about each application:
- Pod refused in Fort William
- Lochside garage plan
- Glenloanan houses plan
- Polycrub plan for Glenshellach Road
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