Lagarie House plans

Joanna Peach’s proposal for the site between Lagarie Lodge and Lagarie House, on the village’s Torwoodhill Road, will be ruled upon by councillors next week.

An Argyll and Bute Council planning officer has recommended that both bids are granted, despite 24 objections to the planning permission application for the house and vehicular access.

The application for listed building consent, which involves constructing the vehicular access through an existing stone wall, has attracted 11 objections.

The plans will be considered by the authority’s planning, protective services and licensing committee at its meeting on Wednesday, May 22.

In a handling report on the planning permission bid, a planning officer said: “The proposal lies within the Rhu Conservation Area and the residential property adjacent to the west, Lagarie House, which is a category B listed building.

“Additionally, within the vicinity is the category A listed Ardencaple Hotel. As such, the impact of the proposed development on the historic environment is a determining factor.

“In addition, the proposed development has been assessed more generally with regard to siting, scale, massing form, and detailed design in relation to the aim of respecting and reflecting the visual character of the existing built development patter; and protecting local residential amenity.

“The site is covered by an area Tree Preservation Order (TPO), however, the site is not located within or in proximity to any nature conservation sites, nor does it lie within NatureScot Ancient Woodland Inventory.

“However, any impact upon the natural environment in relation to biodiversity and impact on trees/woodland falls to be assessed in connection with the proposal. The proposal has also been assessed with regard to the satisfactory provision of services infrastructure provision.”

On the listed building consent application, the officer said: “The determining factor is the impact of the alteration of wall on the historic environment, in particular whether the works preserve the listed wall, the setting of the listed building or any features of special architectural or historic interest and whether the works would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the area.

“The council’s design and conservation officer was consulted on the proposals and has summarised: ‘there would be no significant issue in principal in terms of the character or appearance of the conservation area or the character or special interest of the listed building.’

“Historic Environment Scotland (HES) were also consulted on the proposals in relation to the nearby category A listed Ardencaple Hotel) and have noted that they do not have any comments to make in regards to this application.”