Plans to build ten homes near Loch Lomond look set to go ahead despite objections.
The proposals by Swilken Construction Pension would see a steading near Drymen redeveloped into seven residential units and three holiday lets.
None of the development would be set aside, but national park planners say that a payment of £30,000 towards affordable housing in the area would be acceptable instead.
There have been 28 objections to the plan for Coldrach Farm in Buchanan Smithy, as well as two neutral comments which highlighted concerns – issues raised included
- Increased traffic during and after construction
- Unsuitable roads and junctions, with a lack of passing places
- Impact on quiet enjoyment of the area and its special character
- and overdevelopment for a rural area.
But a report to Monday’s meeting of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority’s planning and access committee recommends approval for the development in an area it says is popular with walkers.
“It is considered that this proposal would present the best opportunity for safeguarding this, at risk, category B listed building whilst presenting a meaningful repair and reconstruction that would preserve its overall character, appearance and listed status – and also achieve the sustainable, beneficial reuse of brownfield land and derelict buildings,” the report states.
“Overall, it is considered that the proposals presented achieve an appropriate balance between the relevant policy and guidance requirements of retaining/reusing the steading for a new local housing use and acknowledging the long-standing and viability issues of this scheme – whilst still providing a degree of local housing and an affordable housing contribution.”
Planning guidance would normally be for a proportion of a development of this size to be set aside for affordable housing, but the report accepts the developers’ argument that because of ‘anticipated marginal profit’ a one-off payment of £30,000 should be made instead.
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