COWAL Golf Club has succeeded in its bid to change from a private members’ club to a public bar after council officers backed the plan.
The bar at the Ardenslate Road premises will now be known as ‘The Kirn Rooms’ after planning permission was granted.
Argyll and Bute Council received no representations from the public, expressing objection or support, during the planning process.
An officer said in a handling report: “The proposal involves a change of use from a ‘club license’ to a ‘premises license’ with no change to the building’s exterior or interior structure and no change to the present licensed areas.
“There is to be a change of name from ‘Cowal Golf Club’ to ‘The Kirn Rooms’ The Kirn Rooms will occupy the first floor of Cowal Golf clubhouse and consist of a licensed public bar and licensed restaurant/function room and unlicensed café.
“Such a floor area requires up to 21 car parking spaces. There are currently 60 car parking spaces on site. The Kirn Rooms will have access to 30 car parking spaces. The premises will have the capacity to allow for up to 250 people to be onsite at any one time.
“Public protection have made no comments in relation to the proposals to date. Argyll and Bute Council licensing section similarly have made no comments in relation to the proposals to date.
“The existing use as a clubhouse has already has regular comings and goings from visitors/events and the noise/disturbance is not expected to be significantly different.
“The public use of the premises will be subject to the council’s licensing requirements for the serving of alcohol.
“This licensing process seeks to protect the safety of occupants and review the management of premises to ensure procedures are in place to avoid creating negative impacts on amenity of neighbouring occupiers.”
The officer concluded: “Having assessed the development with due regard to the relevant material considerations, no issues have been identified that cannot be resolved by relevant planning conditions. There is, therefore, nothing to restrict a positive recommendation.”
