PLANS for a new house to be built at Rhu have been approved by council officers at the second time of asking.
Roderick McEwan has been granted planning permission for the garden ground of Dalarne, at Pier Road in the village.
A previous application for planning permission for a house on the site, along with one for listed building consent, were submitted to Argyll and Bute Council in 2024, but were withdrawn.
Rhu and Shandon Community Council submitted the only public representation, expressing no objections but requesting a condition relating to trees being planted.
A council official said in a handling report: “Following a detailed assessment the proposed development is considered small-scale as it’s for the erection of a single dwelling.
“It is located within an identified settlement area with access to community facilities and public transport networks, consistent with NPF4 (National Planning Framework 4) policy 15, and is compatible with the provisions of NPF4 policy 1 in terms of addressing the climate crisis, in principle.
“In particular, the site is in close walking distance of a primary school, a village shop, and to the village centre of Rhu, where there are public transport connections to the main town of Helensburgh which is five minutes away.
“The site is located within an established residential area and will not impact upon soil that has material value. It is also recommended that any planning permission will be subject to a model planning condition regarding soils.
“On the basis of the above, it is considered that there is a general presumption in favour of the principle of this proposed development in terms of its location, nature and scale.”
The officer added: “A new access will be taken off the shared access and gates and sections of boundary walling are proposed to delineate this.
“A new driveway will be formed within the development site which will be made up using gravel. Parking for two vehicles and a turning area is indicated on the proposed site plans and there is an additional parking space contained within the integrated garage.
“The roads area manager has been consulted on the proposals and has confirmed that roads have no objections.”
