COUNCIL officers have recommended that a proposed four-house development on Mull be approved – despite 27 objections from the public.
Argyll and Bute Councillors will rule on the decision by Gateano Grieve for a site west of Komani Aros Mains next week.
The proposal has also attracted one neutral representation and two expressions of support. A previous application was for six houses at the site, but that bid was later withdrawn.
A recommendation to award planning permission has been made ahead of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee meeting on Tuesday, November 18.
One objector said: “Given the small size of Aros Mains, the development would represent a significant expansion of the settlement outside of the settlement boundary.
“A smaller development, at the same level, consistent with the existing houses, would be less visually obtrusive and more in keeping with the area.”
Another added: “There is concern that the granting of the application would bring similar plans that would provide the area with a ‘strip mall’ appearance. The proposed development would extend into the open countryside.”
A planning officer responded: “The application site is not covered by any specific environmental or landscape designations. Notwithstanding this, the application has been submitted with a landscape and visual impact assessment to assist in the assessment of the likely significance of the effects of change resulting from the proposed development upon the landscape, views and visual amenity.
“The proposed development would be set towards the south of the site and would sit no higher in the landscape than the adjacent properties to the east.
“There are a number of substantial properties in proximity to the site, and the proposed development would form a well-contained, distinct grouping, respecting the wider plot densities. The ground to the north of the site continues to rise, which would provide an appropriate backdrop to the proposed development.”
The planning officer added: “The key factor in the assessment of this application is whether or not the erection of four dwellinghouses and associated development are of an appropriate scale, design, siting and use for their countryside location and whether the development is consistent with the provisions of adopted national and local planning policy.
“It is the opinion of planning officers that the siting, scale and design of the proposed dwellinghouses and the associated development would pay appropriate regard to the characteristics of the area within which it proposed to ensure no significant adverse impact arises and the proposal is considered to accord with the provisions of the current development plan and with national planning policy.”
