Plans for a hybrid housing and tourism development in Kilcreggan have been submitted.
The proposals by Glasgow architects Lucid were first revealed to Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council two years ago.
Now a full planning application has been submitted for seven hybrid accommodation units, community hub building, parking and landscaping.
The buildings, on sloping ground behind the village medical centre and accessed from the B833 Ferry Brae could be used for tourism, as well as second or first homes.
A new path into the village is part of the plan – this would mean pedestrians did not need to walk along the narrow road at that point.
Andy Whyte of Lucid said there would be several ‘planning gains’ from developing this unused land, which currently has dead trees, invasive species and ‘left-over detritus past and present’.
He said the best of the trees would be preserved, with up to 50 new trees and bushes being planted, with accommodation for tourism accommodation, second homes or ‘co-housing’ style full-time homes, depending ow the owners wish to use them.
The land would be co-owned, with shared facilities including a renewable energy system, meeting space, sauna, kitchen, workshops, storage and recycling, as well as outdoor terraces and paths among the trees.
“The development carefully preserves and adds to the character of the land with thoughtfully designed buildings and good quality materials designed around the topography and the trees,” he added.
“The new accommodation provides an important example project of how modern housing and tourism can develop beyond the traditional ‘executive villa’ type of plot-style housing or ‘chalet park’ tourism development and shows a more mixed and flexible type of end usage that is better integrated into the village.
“The public and shared elements of the design provide interest among the units themselves and also within the area.
“The project is build-able and deliverable. It has already generated significant positive interest both locally and further afield due to offering an alternative approach to living, working, tourism, landscaping, energy use, materials and space planning plus co-ownership of shared accommodation and land.
“We believe it would really add to the area and be an excellent example project at a regional or potentially national level.”
The plans are available on Argyll and Bute Council’s website – the reference number is 18/01546/PP
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