PLANS for a hotel near Oban to install three short-term letting units in place of bedrooms have been approved by council officers.
The applications by management of the Taynuilt Inn for planning permission and listed building consent have been approved by Argyll and Bute Council.
One objection was lodged with the authority by the public during the planning process, along with one neutral representation.
The category B-listed Taynuilt Inn was badly damaged by fire in September 2021, resulting in part of the building being demolished.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The building currently hosts ten short-term-let apartments over the two and a half floors to the south-eastern section of the building, and eight hotel bedrooms to the north-western part of the building. There is a public restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
“The physical changes proposed comprise internal alterations only, which do not require express planning permission. This application therefore concerns only the assessment of the proposed alterations of the remaining hotel bedrooms to form short-term-let apartments.
“The proposal concerns the alteration of guest accommodation only and does not include the existing public restaurant and bar/pub on the ground floor which will remain an integral part of the hotel.
“As noted in the Local Development Plan 2, key services such as local convenience shops, filling stations, post offices, pubs, cafes, and hotels with public bars, not only play an important role in maintaining the sustainability and functionality of the communities they serve but they can also play an important role in providing services for those visiting or travelling through the area.
“As the proposed development preserves the overall function of the site as tourist accommodation with provision of public restaurant and bar, the Taynuilt Inn will continue to serve as a key service for the local community.”
The report added: “Officers are satisfied that the proposed development is in keeping with the existing use of the site, and is of an appropriate scale and design, without giving rise to any significant adverse visual impact.”
