PLANS for a Lochgilphead shop and flat to become a restaurant and takeaway have been approved by council officers.
Rahul Sharma’s proposal for the sites at 1 Colchester Square, and Flat 0 right at 4 Poltalloch Street, attracted two objections from the public.
But the plans, which also include an outdoor seating area, were awarded planning permission by Argyll and Bute Council. A separate application for listed building consent remains under consideration.
One of the authority’s planning officials said in a handling report: “The application site comprises a former commercial electrical outlet with an associated flat, located at the corner of Poltalloch Street and Colchester Square.
“The property benefits from a small tarmacked open space fronting Colchester Square, partially screened by the gable end of 2 Colchester Square. The site lies within the Lochgilphead Town Centre and the Lochgilphead Conservation Area.
“It is noted that the proposed café/restaurant/bar use would operate from the former shop unit, whilst the takeaway element would be accommodated within the former flat.
“Although the two areas are linked internally for operational purposes, there would be no customer access between them.
“Both uses would benefit from their own dedicated entrances, with customers accessing the café/restaurant/bar and takeaway independently. As such, the proposal has been assessed as a single mixed-use unit operating across the existing premises.
“The proposal includes the formation of an outdoor seating area associated with the restaurant. The seating area would comprise six tables with four chairs per table, together with six timber planters positioned around the perimeter of the seating area.
“The planters are intended to provide a visual and physical separation between the seating area and the adjacent public footway, whilst contributing positively to the appearance and amenity of the streetscene.”
The report added: “Concerns have been raised by third parties regarding the potential impact of the proposed development, particularly the outdoor seating area, on access to neighbouring flats, together with associated health and safety implications.
“Objections have also been received in relation to potential adverse amenity impacts, including noise and disturbance arising from the operation of the premises.
“In terms of access to neighbouring flatted properties, matters relating to private access rights, servitudes and title restrictions are civil issues between the relevant parties and fall outwith the remit of the planning authority. Such matters cannot be controlled or enforced through planning legislation.
“With regard to amenity impacts, the environmental health service has raised no objection to the proposal subject to the imposition of planning conditions.
“These conditions will provide appropriate controls over the operation of the development and, as such, Officers are satisfied that the proposal would not give rise to any significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties.”
