PLANNING permission has been granted for a Dunoon bar to be converted into hotel rooms.
Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have given the go-ahead to the plans, lodged by a Mr A McArthur, for the premises at 4 School Brae.
Two objections were registered with the authority during the planning process, but officials regard the change of use as “sustainable re-use of an existing building”.
An officer said in a handling report: “Concerns have been raised about the change causing an impact on residential amenity. Environmental health have been consulted on the proposal and have no objections, subject to conditions/or informatives.
“It is not considered necessary to condition the proposal, the public house use is considered to be a ‘bad neighbour’ whereas a hotel is not.
“There is likely to be less noise and disturbance from the new use given the sporadic nature of the arrivals and departures, unlike at closing time for a pub where many customers may exit the premises at once.
“The opening hours are also likely to be less disturbing as the hotel check-in will likely be restricted to certain times of the day.
“Environmental health have noted that the hotel will operate without the benefit of onsite management/concierge.
“They state that the applicant should submit to the planning authority a management plan that must cover (but is not limited to) the management of noise and antisocial behaviour associated with the operation of the hostel, including out of hours contact information. This can be subject to a condition.”
The handling report added: “The proposal is the sustainable re-use of an existing building which current use as a pub is not viable and the new use will continue the economic use of the building as a hotel.
“There are no issues in terms of residential amenity, parking, or other infrastructure. The principle of the proposal is accepted by both development plans.”
