PLANNING permission has been granted for a derelict Oban store to be demolished, with six self-catering holiday flats to be built in its place.
The application by Mr M Lockhart related to a site at 2 Shore Street, to the rear of the town’s Claredon Hotel.
Argyll and Bute Council officials received three expressions of support accompanying the application, along with one neutral representation.
One of the units on the ground floor at the proposed building will be wheelchair accessible, with the facility’s main entrance to be via Campbell Street.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The application seeks to secure permission to remove the existing storage building to allow for the redevelopment of the site to provide a flatted development of six units for self-catering purposes.
“Due to the position of the site at the junction of Campbell Street and Shore Street, the proposed building presents a frontage to both of these streets.
“The proposed building, whilst three and a half storeys in height, gives the impression of a four-storey structure due to the mezzanine level within the roof space of the building.
“This part of the building is contained under a flat roof before stepping down to a pitched roof presenting to Campbell Street.
“The building provides two one-bed units at ground floor, one of which is wheelchair accessible, with two two-bed units at first floor level and a further two two-bed units at second floor level with this floor incorporating a mezzanine level within the roof space.”
The report added: “Whilst contemporary in design and finishes, it is considered that the proposed building has been carefully considered for its site, paying regard to the traditional buildings on Campbell Street through the size and placement of windows within this elevation which are in general alignment with those in the adjacent traditional building.
“Similarly, the placement of windows to the elevation fronting on to Shore Street generally align with those in the Premier Inn diagonally opposite the site and will not appear as an inappropriate development within this part of the town centre.
“The site is considered to represent an appropriate opportunity within the defined settlement area of Oban for the redevelopment with the proposed flatted development which is of an appropriate scale, design and finish ensuring that it will integrate well within the site and wider streetscene and result in a visual enhancement to this area of the town centre.”
