PLANS for an extension to a café next to the Loch Fyne oyster bar have been given the go-ahead by council officials.
The Tree Shop, off the A83 at Cairndow, has been in operation for 36 years, and management applied to Argyll and Bute Council for permission to grow its existing café to form additional eating and shopping space.
The plans, by Ardkinglas Estates Ltd, have now been granted planning permission, with no representations expressing objection or support received from the public during the planning process.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The proposals are for the enclosure of an existing terrace and the re-roofing of an existing building with a modest extension to the front elevation resulting in the addition of some additional 125sqm floorspace.
“In this instance a retail impact assessment is not required as the proposals are to serve both a local and a tourist market. It is an expansion to an existing shop/café which supports this existing rural business.
“Given that the proposals are an expansion of an existing tourist related business that is staffed by local people it is deemed to be supported by national policy and it is also considered that the site and its environs have the capacity to absorb an increased number of visitors without detriment to the area.”
A supporting statement submitted with the application earlier this year said: “The business has grown over the years and now enjoys an excellent reputation for its trees, shrubs and plants, its gift shop and its café.
“It has become a stable employer for staff from the local area and an important part of the facilities at Clachan, which includes Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd and Here We Are (community initiative).
“The extended building will provide more space for both gift shop and café, larger kitchen areas and extended public toilets. The development will result in an increased external area for plant sales.”
