RETROSPECTIVE planning permission has been recommended for three chalets at a Caravan Park on the Rosneath Peninsula.
Billy McPhee’s siting of the accommodation units at Auchengower Park in Cove is subject to a hearing by councillors next week, with 13 objections having been lodged along with two expressions of support.
An Argyll and Bute Council planning officer cited “significant benefits” of the chalets in an assessment of why planning permission should be granted.
The matter will be considered by the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee at its meeting on Wednesday, February 18.
A council officer said: “There are significant benefits of the proposal in terms of providing affordable, accessible permanent homes within an established residential park to meet current expected standards.
“There are benefits in creating an income stream for an existing established tourism/residential caravan site that requires the income to ensure the long-term maintenance and sustainability of the site as a whole.
“The layout and landscape effect of the development has altered the woodland and coastal character of the area, affected the setting of a listed building, namely Auchengower Lodge and the important gap between the settlements has adversely affecting the sense of place, and resulting in a proposal that is therefore not consistent with the development plan but subject to conditions these impacts can be reduced significantly.
“There were adverse impacts on trees and Ancient Woodland through the creation of the original hardstanding area but this area was created more than four years ago and is now lawful. There was also further removal of trees to create views from the caravans within the ancient woodland.
“There is however no objection from the biodiversity officer as there is now an opportunity to mitigate the loss of woodland and protected species, via conditions, by requiring a wildlife survey, bringing in soils from a local source and securing compensatory native planting to enhance the woodland in the long term.
“This long-term enhancement also includes continued management of the non-native rhododendron on site which is a significant benefit to the area.”
