A quad bike activity centre has been approved by national planners – on a temporary basis while its noise impact is assessed.
The plan for Doune of Glendouglas farm is intended to help Shona Ross diversify her business, with up to seven 45-minute tours a day.
The farm is owned by Luss Estates and bas been tenanted by the same family for 75 years.
And now Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park planning officials have approved the plan, without elected members being involved.
A report states that there are no other properties within more than a mile of the quad bike track so there would be ‘no impact on residential amenity’.
But it added that ‘tranquillity’ needed to be considered.
“This is one of the special landscape qualities of the national park,” the report states.
“There are no core paths in the vicinity of the farm. There is, however, a very popular walking route up Ben Dubh, returning to Luss.
“An extension of this route takes in the adjacent Coire na Eanachan and returns via Doune of Glen Douglas farm and the road through Glen Douglas.
“This route is identified as a public right of way although it is seldom frequented.
“The proposal would not have any adverse impact on public rights of access, however there may be some noise impacts that may be perceived as harming tranquillity, dependent on the extent the noise can be heard from the hill tops and the extent to which it may be perceived as ‘disturbing’ the quiet enjoyment.”
For this reason the approval has been made temporary, until the end of October 2023: “It will be for the applicant to assess the noise impact during the permitted period and for such assessment to accompany and further application for planning permission to continue the use.”
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