Major lochside development proposal goes public

The proposals form part of a ‘screening and scoping’ application to Argyll and Bute Council for a site at Portincaple, near Garelochhead.

But the convener of the area's community council says that, based on the information so far and the reaction from local residents, it would be "very difficult" for the group to support the plans.

The proposals, lodged by MH Planning Associates of Helensburgh on behalf of Mr Pelham Olive, feature 24 hillside terraced houses and 12 lochside terraced houses on around 1.95 hectares of steeply sloping land, along with the creation of a new mixed commercial use area, public parking and a new ‘public realm’ area with a large proportion of open space.

The outline proposals have been published in the planning section of the local authority's website as an 'application for a screening opinion', with specific reference to whether or not a formal application would require a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).

In a response to the request, made available online, council planning officer Frazer McLeod has said the authority believes an EIA "is not required on the basis that any impacts would be minimal and issues of environmental concern can be addressed by way of appropriate information supporting a

planning application".

Watson Robinson, the convener of Garelochhead Community Council, said: “Garelochhead Community Council has been asking this developer for guidance with regards to their plans for some time.

"At our June meeting this was addressed by the land owner and his representative.

"Although the lion's share of their presentation took part outwith the GCC's meeting, it would be fair to say that what was presented was neither welcomed, or indeed the content expected, from the 40 or so local residents that attended.

"Like every other community council we are not opposed to progress, but we are both obligated and obliged to reflect the views of our community.

"To that end it would appear that what was discussed on the night and what has been released since, would be very difficult for our community council to support.

"However, we will discuss this along with other issues that have been raised by local people when we meet in the forthcoming months.

"At this stage we are and will continue to engage with all relevant parties going forward in a bid to find some kind of common ground.”

Other documents available so far include early computer-generated images of the buildings, prepared by Puregreenspace Architecture of Helensburgh, along with a 'preliminary ecological appraisal', and the results of a survey of the trees on the site and a 'walkover survey' for otters.

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using the reference code 19/01450/SCREEN to view the documents in detail.