COUNCILLORS are set to resume discussions on a partly-retrospective proposal for planning permission for a car park and storage yard in Garelochhead.
But council officers continue to recommend that Lorne Thomson’s application be refused – despite a representation being made by a councillor.
The bid for permission at the site west of the village’s BT telephone exchange had initially been recommended for refusal by Argyll and Bute Council officials in November.
But elected members successfully pushed for a continuation of the application to seek advice for a competent motion to allow planning permission.
More than 20 representations have been received by the council since the initial deadline, including one from Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North).
It is said that the representations state that the proposal will help alleviate parking issues, as well as improving the condition of the site.
The application will be continued at a meeting of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, January 22.
At the November meeting, council officers said that the proposal was not consistent with the local development plan for the area.
Discussion also took place among councillors about the site being an open space protection area (OSPA).
Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) said at the meeting: “Although the site was woodland in the past, it was not high quality woodland; it was scrub.
“It is at the back of the site and does not really impinge on the stream. It is a very beautiful stream and walk for local people, and the site is not near that.
“I know that to have this facility here will alleviate a lot of pressure on the village centre in terms of spaces for people to park. This is a very big issue in Garelochhead.”
Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Conservative, Oban South and the Isles) added: “I appreciate the views planning have taken, but the need for the area supersedes that, so I would look for some departure of policy to enable this to continue.”
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn), the council’s policy lead for planning, was one of three councillors who voted in favour of the recommendation in November.
He said: “It is my view that the correct way of amending OSPAs and ensuring they are appropriate for the local community is through the local development plan process. I do not find that having ad-hoc changes to it that suit individual developers is particularly helpful.”
Councillor Gordon Blair (SNP, Cowal) added: “I feel there is almost a notion of development creep on this site. As an authority, we have an obligation to look after our natural environment.”
An updated report prepared for next week’s meeting recommends that members “note the content of this report which does not introduce any new information that has not already been addressed in the original report of handling.
“The recommendation of the planning authority remains that planning permission be refused in line with the reasons appended to the original report of handling.”
