Councillors have been urged to ‘take a wider view’ and overrule their officials to support a ‘hybrid’ plan in Kilcreggan.
The plan by Lucid Architects for seven houses and a community hub on steeply sloping land off Ferry Brae is recommended for refusal by Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee, which meets on Wednesday.
Planners say the wooded area has ‘significant amenity value’ and the development would be out of character with the area.
But Andy Whyte of Lucid said this week that the project would stabilise the site, which saw many trees removed under previous ownership, while land management would reduce flooding problems on ground beneath it.
“We hope that the planning committee are able to take the wider, longer-term view to overcome what has become a discussion about the minutiae of different strategies on how best to preserve a tree or how to build on a slope,” he added.
“These details are surely not intended to be a stick to beat an innovative scheme down with.
“To date the local strategy has not been able to deliver at this location from all the evidence given of problems surrounding the site plus past permissions given for failed schemes on this and neighbouring sites.
“The offer of a cutting-edge design concept like this is unusual in a quiet rural area but the interest, positivity and innovation generated will pay dividends within the locality and further afield as an example project of new ways of living and working in rural Scotland.”
The Woodlands Trust and five residents have objected to the plans and the council flood risk manager said the decision should be delayed as more information was needed.
But there are four comments in support and the plans were said to have been ‘well received’ by the Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust.
Some objectors feared the access from the B833 would be dangerous, but Mr Whyte said a new public path into the village would mean pedestrians would not have to walk on the busy road.
“The proposal innovates and meets the demand for smaller and more flexible housing alongside the possibility of use as second homes or tourist letting units in a healthy and balanced mix,” he added.
“The purchase of existing homes as second homes is already an issue and there is no legislation against this, we provide a healthy and more vibrant alternative here.
“The shared building offers accommodation for working in small studios or a shared space with a very efficient shared energy system serving all the units meaning no bills to pay for many years.
“The design gives a lot to the end users, the village and area as a whole, particularly as an example project of national interest showing how working and living patterns have changed and can be provided for with a cutting-edge design and usage pattern.”
The application will be discussed at the committee meeting in Lochgilphead on Wednesday.
The plans are available on Argyll and Bute Council’s website – the reference number is 18/01546/PP
Sounds like a good idea