A NEW storage building at RNAD Coulport has been granted planning permission by council officials.
The secretary of state for defence applied to Argyll and Bute Council regarding the proposed structure, which will be used for warehousing, offices, assembly and training facility purposes.
No representations, expressing either objection or support, were received by the council during the planning process and the plans have now been rubber-stamped.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The application site measures approximately 8000sqm, and is located within the Ministry of Defence facility – RNAD Coulport on the northwest boundary of the facility.
“The facility is generally characterised as an industrialised complex including a number of industrial buildings, offices and accommodation for military staff.
“The application site is considered to be a brownfield site as it was previously developed and is presently largely hardstanding and car parking and a helicopter landing pad.
“There is an existing small building with an approximate footprint of 100sqm on the northwest boundary of the site which is a steel framed shed, this is proposed to be demolished. Part of the site is also covered by existing vegetation on the south and west of the site.
“The proposed building has an approximate footprint of 2500sqm and will be roughly rectangular in plan and will be three storeys tall with a simple pitched roof.
“The proposed building it to house; general warehousing/assembly/training space within approximately half of the proposed building and office space within the other half of the proposed building together with ancillary welfare facilities.
“The proposals also include the instillation of associated infrastructure and engineering works, including ground works and retaining walls, the removal of vegetation, the demolition of the existing building on site, the formation of roads and hardstanding areas including two parking spaces and lastly; drainage and landscaping.”
The official added: “The existing trees form a landscape context for the site that assists in softening the development on the wider landscape.
“here are, however, still areas of trees and woodland that will be retained that will soften the visual impact of the development and assist with its integration into the wider landscape.
“The proposals also include new planting on areas around the buildings as well as the planting of 13 native species trees.
“It is considered that in this instance the proposed tree loss is acceptable given that the buildings will still have a backdrop of woodland and there will be compensatory planting of 13 native species trees.”
