Planning approved for Oban gap site

Plans to build 15 apartments and a restaurant at the site of a former Oban hotel have been given the go-ahead by council chiefs.

 

Calum MacLeod’s proposal for the former Argyll Hotel site, on the Corran Esplanade, has been awarded planning permission by Argyll and Bute Council.

 

Eight objections and one representation were received to the proposal, citing concerns over parking provision, noise and a loss of view from holiday apartments on George Street.

 

However, council officials were satisfied the plans addressed these concerns and the new facilities have been approved.

 

Responding to fears over noise, a planning officer said: “All developments cause an element of disruption in some form during the construction period.

 

“However, should this result in excessive noise arising, this is a matter for the council’s environmental health service who monitor such activities to ensure that no significant adverse noise issues arise.

 

“With regards to noise from visiting patrons once the development is operational, nearby residents already experience a certain amount of noise and disturbance in this town centre location and the proposed development is not likely to add unacceptably to the existing activity in the area.

 

“Town centre noise and disturbance is already higher within town centre location than that experienced in quieter residential streets.

 

“Any disturbance or anti-social behaviour arising from the holiday apartment aspect of the development will be dealt with through the short-term licensing scheme which the developer will require to enter into.

 

“Any disturbance or anti-social behaviour associated with the restaurant aspect of the development would be a matter for the proprietor of the premises or, ultimately, the police.”

 

Correspondence also claimed that the view from properties on George Street would be altered.

 

In response the planning officer dealing with the case said: “Whilst this comment is noted, the right to a private view is not a material planning matter requiring to be considered when assessing planning applications.

 

“Furthermore, this site was previously occupied by a substantial three and a half storey hotel building which was demolished on the understanding that a replacement structure would be proposed in its place. The current structure is much smaller in scale and massing than that originally approved for the site.”

 

Dealing with comments about parking provision, the officer added: “The comments relating to the lack of parking provision are noted by the planning authority, however, this has been accepted by the council’s roads engineers.”