Plans to expand the visitor attractions at Ardardan Farm near Cardross have been revealed.
Currently the site has a very successful farm shop, garden nursery and tearoom, run alongside the working farm by the Montgomery family and employing 50 people.
And plans have been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for extra car parking, a new farm park attraction and improvements at the junction with the busy A814.
A design statement by consultant architect Alexander T Dobbie says that the new farm park attraction would be paid-entry and ‘incorporate various aspects which pertain to food, farming and nature in a fun and educational way for families and groups in the local area and tourists travelling to visit’.
The various farm park buildings would be incorporated into an enclosed courtyard next to the existing business operations, with paths leading through woodland to the animal contact shed.
An additional car park would have space for two coaches, while access from the A814 would have a ‘ghost island priority junction’.
Mr Dobbie’s statement adds: “The proposals have specifically sought to enhance the location by providing a substantial woodland plantation to the north of the existing car park, an area which will act as a wildlife corridor and of considerable value to the local bird population.
“Similarly other tree plantations and hedgerows are incorporated and are promoted as offering the dual function of enhancing the local natural habitat whilst at the same time providing natural screening at strategic locations.”
The plans are available on the council’s website, reference number 17/03276/PP
Like everyone else I like to visit the tearoom and occasionally buy from the shop. I wish them well in this enterprise and hope it goes well for them. With luck they will advertise widely and as a side effect they may bring more visitors to Helensburgh.
What is not to like?