PLANS for a self-catering shepherd’s hut on Mull have been approved by council officials.
Moira Westland’s plan for the site at Doire A’ Chuilinn, in Lochdon, was awarded planning permission after no feedback was received from the public.
An Argyll and Bute Council planning officer said that the proposal raised “no issues or concerns” in making the decision.
The official said in a handling report: “The site forms an area of ground associated with the dwellinghouse of Doire A’ Chuilinn.
“The site is situated to the northwest of Loch Spelve, immediately to the north of the A849 public road which extends from Craignure to Fionnphort.
“The wider land ownership is bounded by a watercourse to the west, with open, undeveloped land to the north. The wider area is rural in character, with a number of other dwellings and agricultural buildings within the vicinity of the application site.
“The proposed shepherd’s hut would be sited to the southwest of the dwelling, backdropped by the rising land which leads up to the dwelling, within an area of grassland and woodland.”
The report added: “It is considered that the site would present a suitable location for an appropriately scaled tourism development that would meet the needs of the applicant and contribute to the local economy whilst respecting the existing community and surrounding natural and built environment.
“It is considered that the proposal for the siting of a shepherd’s hut for use for short-term letting purposes is a suitable proposal which accords with the principles and polices contained within National Planning Framework 4 and Local Development Plan 2, and is a proposal which would benefit the local economy in accordance with one of the central challenges for Argyll and Bute, that of delivering sustainable economic growth.”
