PLANS to install a phone box as an information point on Bute have been given the go-ahead by council officers despite nine objections.
Linda MacFadyen lodged the plans for the site at Port Bannatyne quayside, but concerns were voiced about the location of the phone box and the surrounding environment.
However, Argyll and Bute Council has now awarded planning permission, saying it was not considered to create a negative impact on the surrounding area.
The traditional red metal phone box has been donated from Port Bannatyne Marina.
Responding to an objection which said that an alternative location should be considered, the officer said: “It is noted that the applicants did consider alternative locations including: replacing the existing phone box, adjacent to the existing phone box and beside the old slipway (next to the seating area).
“It is confirmed that replacing the existing phone box is not an option as this is not owned by the applicant furthermore all options are located within the roads corridor and the area roads manager confirmed that they would not support the installation of a phone box to any of the alternative locations proposed.”
The report also said: “The application site is the footprint of the proposed telephone box which is; 0.9 meters by 0.9 meters. The telephone box is to be located on an area of existing hard landscaping which is located on the shore side of Marine Road and directly east of the existing stone quay.
“The site is also located with the Rothesay conservation area and within a designated area for action, namely; Port Bannatyne Waterfront where the strategic action is for waterfront development and environmental enhancement.
“The proposed phone box is a refurbished traditional heritage red metal phone box which has been donated by Port Bannatyne Marina and will be refurbished for use as a tourist information point.
“The phone box will be approximately 2.5 meters [in] height. It is noted that no ground works are proposed, making the removal of the phone box a simple task in the future.
“The area of hard standing where the proposed phone box is to be located presently has several planters, a couple of picnic benches, a bus-shelter, occasionally a mobile sauna and some storage (as access is taken from this area to access the adjacent shingle beach).
“Given the level of visual clutter already present in this area it is not considered that the proposed phone box would detract from the character of the local.
“It is therefore not considered to significantly adversely affect any key public viewpoints from the shore road across the bay.”
