Decision due on Loch Awe holiday pods

Plans for 10 holiday pods to be sited by Loch Awe have been recommended for planning permission – despite 37 objections.

 

The proposal by Holidays Direct Marketing, which also includes the formation of vehicular access and parking, will go before councillors for a decision next week.

 

But the plans, for land between Achnakeep and Schoolhouse Cottages, have been met with concerns, including those of Oban and District Access Panel who feel the design “falls short” in some respects.

 

The application will be considered by Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee at its meeting on Wednesday, June 21. Unusually, the meeting is taking place at Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

 

A handling report quotes one of the concerns as: “The proposed development will create a large amount of traffic along the B840 public road which is a single track road with passing places along the entire 23 mile length of Loch Awe and which is not suitable for developments that create a lot of additional traffic.

 

“There are an insufficient number of intervisible passing places along the B840 to allow vehicles to pass, therefore, any development which increases the use of this public road will exacerbate the problem.

 

“The road is increasingly being used by supply and delivery trucks and other logistical traffic which supports the community in a modern post Covid society meaning the road is substantially busier than it has been in the past.

 

“The public road, whilst not identified as part of a Sustrans national network route, is recognised as a safe cycle route due to limited traffic use. Consequently, the road is used significantly by cycling groups as a safe and flat cross country route traversing Argyll.

 

“The stretch of the B840 public road through Portsonachan does not benefit from a pavement or a lesser speed limit and, as such, the increase in vehicles will put pedestrians at significantly more risk. This will include patrons of the proposed development.”

 

A council planning officer responded: “The council’s roads engineer raised no objection to the proposed development on road or pedestrian safety grounds.

 

“This recommendation of no objection is on the basis that conditions are imposed on the grant of permission to secure the appropriate construction of the access at the junction with the public road and the provision of six additional passing places along the B840 public road from the A819 junction and the application site, conditions which have been accepted by the applicant.

 

“Furthermore, since the roads engineer submitted his response, the agent has submitted a Vehicle Trip Briefing Note (VTBN) in support of the proposed development.

 

“In summary, the VTBN demonstrates the anticipated trips generated as a result of the proposed development would be at a low level such that there would not be any material impact on the operation of the road network nor would it attract any requirement for off-site mitigation to accommodate the proposals.”

 

The planning officer concludes: “The proposal for the change of use of land for the siting of 10 holiday pods, along with the associated infrastructure and landscaping, is considered to represent a suitable proposal which is consistent with the provisions of the adopted Local Development Plan and one which will benefit the local economy in accordance with one of the central challenges for Argyll and Bute, that of delivering sustainable economic growth.

 

“Taking account of the above, it is recommended planning permission be approved subject to conditions.”