PLANS for a new development of 'hybrid accommodation' houses in Kilcreggan have been refused by councillors.

Lucid Developments Ltd, the development arm of Glasgow firm Lucid Architects, was seeking permission to build the new properties, along with a ‘community hub’ building, pathway, car parking and landscaping, on a hillside site near to Ferry Brae, at the eastern entrance to the village.

The properties, which would have been partly built on 'pilotis', or columns, were described by the applicant as “a hybrid of housing, tourist development, live-work development, community elements and co-housing elements” and “a new and very flexible form of accommodation and community elements that allow people to use it in a way not possible with traditional private housing development or tourism only development”.

But a report by Argyll and Bute Council planning officer Frazer MacLeod advised that the authority’s planning, protective services and licensing (PPSL) committee should turn down the application because the development would appear out of character with its surroundings, would reslt in the loss of an important woodland area, and would be "visually intrusive, visually discordant and will not maintain or enhance the character of the area".

Councillors on the committee endorsed Mr MacLeod's view and turned down the application at a meeting in Lochgilphead on Wednesday.