OBAN Lorne Rugby Club has been awarded planning permission for the redevelopment and extension of its community sports hub and clubhouse.
Argyll and Bute Council’s planning officers have given the go-ahead after 47 expressions of support were received from the public, along with three objections.
The proposals included the extension and reconfiguration of the clubhouse, a gym, physio suite and function space, and enhanced changing and welfare facilities.
It also included an external terrace and viewing deck, expanded parking provision, and associated access and landscaping works.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The extended clubhouse facility will provide a range of facilities at ground floor level within the main part of the building including changing rooms, toilets, gym, physio suite and kitchen with the entrance, office, function suite and café within the single storey element to the front elevation.
“At upper floor level the clubhouse will provide further changing room and toilet facilities with a plant room, laundry/store and a mezzanine over the gym at ground floor level. Externally the application shows the existing car parking area extended.
“Officers are satisfied that the redevelopment and extension of the existing clubhouse, whilst large, is an acceptable proposal, of a design and finishes which will ensure that it does not give rise to any significant adverse visual impact on its appearance or setting within the wider area being a development which will provide enhanced facilities to serve the needs of the rugby club and the aspirations of the wider CSH (community sports hub).”
Objections centred on concerns around traffic and effects on wildlife, which the officer addressed in the report.
They said: “The application acknowledges the concerns of residents regarding the impact of the redevelopment on the public road network which surrounds the site.
“To this end the application is accompanied by an indicative construction traffic management plan (CTMP) which details measures to be employed within the development to minimise the impact of the development on the surrounding properties. The CTMP has been accepted by the council’s roads authority.
“The proposal within the current planning application does not impact on any trees within or surrounding the site.
“The application does however acknowledge that the current proposal forms part of a wider phased redevelopment project to improve existing sports and community infrastructure for Oban and the surrounding area which will include wider landscaping and biodiversity measures.
“A planning condition is proposed to secure such measures within this application for phase one of the redevelopment.”
