PLANS to upgrade the War Memorial grounds in Tarbert have been given the go-ahead by council officers.
The proposals include an accessible paved path, a replacement boundary fence, bollards with a steel linking chain, and soldier silhouettes.
The application, submitted by a Mr Aggie Dennis, also includes a new bench, lighting and reinstatement of a flagpole.
Argyll and Bute Council has awarded planning permission after one neutral representation was received from the public during the planning process.
A planning officer said in a handling report: “The proposed development is for a package of modest works that seek to enhance the visual appearance and setting of the war memorial and to improve accessibility to it from Lady Ileene Road.
“The latter involves very minor and localised levelling out of existing ground levels and forming a small area of paved path to create an accessible route between the public road and the monument.
“Other improvement works include cleaning/refurbishment of the existing monument and railings, installation of four low-level spotlights to illuminate the monument and installation of two 1.2 metre high, black coloured, metal silhouettes of soldiers sited to flank the memorial.
“It is also proposed to dig out the overgrown flagpole base directly adjacent to the monument and to re-instate the base and to install a new six metre high flagpole in the same location.
“It’s proposed to replace the existing timber post and wire fence along the southern and eastern site boundaries; and to dismantle the stone wall along the northern site boundary and to reconstruct it, re-using the salvaged stone.
“It is proposed to replace the existing low bollard and chain feature along the boundary with Lady Ileene Road with bollards that will be 800mm above ground level with interlinking chain.
“The increase in height relative to the existing bollard and chain ‘barrier’ is proposed partly on the basis that the existing one is so low that it is a trip hazard. Lastly, it’s proposed to site a new bench within the grassed area to the south of the monument.”
The report added: “Much of the proposed works are for the renovation / replacement of existing features including stone cleaning and refurbishing railings. As such, these elements of the works will result in a visual enhancement.
“The addition of two soldier silhouettes is relatively modest in scale and is wholly ‘in keeping’ with the visual character of a war memorial. It is considered that the proposed paved areas will improve accessibility to the monument and will preserve visual amenity.
“The increased height of the bollard and chain feature along the front boundary of the site will also have a minimal visual impact relative to the existing boundary feature.
“On this basis, officers are satisfied that the proposed development works as a whole will result in an enhancement to local visual amenity in accordance with all relevant development plan policy.”
