Retrospective plans for a change of use at a mansion in Rhu should be refused, a council planning official has said ahead of a crucial meeting.
The owners of Invergare House, on Glenarn Road, submitted proposals for the property to be changed from a standard house to a short-term let.
But an Argyll and Bute Council planning official has said the plans should be rejected as out of keeping with the character of the area.
There are also concerns about the flow of traffic.
In January 2020, neighbours of the 10-bedroom baronial property claimed it had been turned into a “party pad” for groups of up to 20 people at a time.
The plans will be discussed by the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday.
In a handling report, the planner said that the maximum number of people for any letting as a single unit would be limited to 24.
The official said: “The house has been used periodically over the last couple of years for short term letting. It appears that the property is not currently being used for short-term letting.
“It is considered that the proposed use will be out of keeping with the established residential character of the local area to the significant detriment to residential amenities of local residents by reason of undue intensification of activity, increased level and nature of noise, general disturbance and the pattern, nature and volume of vehicular traffic all resultant from the proposed use.”
The official also said that due to narrow carriageway widths without footways, sub-standard access junctions, and traffic speeds, the property did not have the technical capacity to serve the vehicle movements generated by the plans safely and allowing traffic to flow freely.
They added: “A feature of this part of the Rhu Conservation Area is considered to be a peaceful character and low intensity of activity appropriate to the uniformly residential land use and spacious pattern of built development.
“Whilst the proposal will not increase density of built development, the significant change in terms of intensification of activity and traffic movements will not enhance or protect the character or appearance of the conservation area.”
In January 2020, a neighbour of the property told local media: “It is not unusual for them to have a very loud, Glastonbury-style outdoor sound system with music that can go on until two or three in the morning.
“Within the last year we have called police on 12 separate occasions to try and quieten them down but it does not seem to do any good.”
However, Graham Gardner, owner of the property, responded: “As far as we are aware, there has not been any anti-social behaviour beyond guests talking on the patio late at night. The police were asked to attend and fed back to us there was nothing of concern.
“We do ask our guests to respect our neighbours, keep noise outside to a minimum after 10pm and if we are made aware of any anti-social behaviour we would quickly resolve it.
“It’s important to note that we don’t allow stag or hen parties, as we prefer family gatherings.”
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