COUNCIL officers have approved plans for five accommodation pods at an education centre near Oban.
Management of the Kilchoan Estate, at Kilmelford, submitted an application for the facilities, along with one communal pod, to Argyll and Bute Council.
Officials from the authority have now awarded planning permission, with only one neutral representation having been received from the public.
It is proposed that the accommodation is used by students and guests who are in residence at the estate.
An officer said in a handling report: “The application proposes six pods which comprise single storey, pitched roof structures finished in vertical timber cladding with an anthracite grey coloured metal roofing.
“The five accommodation pods measure approximately 27 square metres in size with an overall height of approximately 3.5 metres each providing two en-suite bedrooms.
“A larger pod, with a shallower roof pitch, providing communal facilities, kitchenette and toilet is also proposed which measures approximately 44 square metres in size with an overall height of approximately 3.5 metres.
“A condition will be imposed on the grant of permission to secure the finer details of the proposed landscaping and boundary treatments to be incorporated into the development which will require to pay regard to the mitigation measures set out in the LVIA (landscape and visual impact assessment).
“A further condition is proposed limiting the occupation of the pod development to the use indicated in the application, namely for use by guests and students visiting the estate and for no other use including permanent residential or holiday letting purposes.”
The official added: “It is considered that the application adequately demonstrates the need for the proposed development to serve the aims and needs of Kilchoan Estate.
“The LVIA adequately demonstrates that the site represents an appropriate opportunity for the proposed pod development being of simple design, with a muted palette of finishing materials, which together with the planting recommended within the LVIA, will ensure that the proposed development will not result in any significant adverse visual impact on the site or its setting within the wider landscape.”
