OUTLINE plans to build five new holiday lodges near Cardross have been refused planning permission...nearly seven years after they were first submitted.

Argyll and Bute Council has issued the ruling on Patrick Doherty’s proposal for land east of Westerhill Cottage at Ardoch.

Five objections had been received from the public to the proposal, which was first validated in August 2017.

Council planning officers cited a lack of compatibility with local development plan and national planning framework policies as a reason for the recommendation to refuse.

Roads bosses also objected, citing "unacceptable" sightlines at the junction with the A814 as well as the steepness of the access road to and from the site.

The proposals could have seen visitors fly direct by helicopter to the development, which was to be located next to an existing helipad at the site.

READ MORE: Cardross holiday lodge plans unveiled - with helicopter access plan (from August 2017)

A council officer said in a handling report: “In respect of the first criteria of policy 8(b) (of National Planning Framework 4), the applicant nor the supporting planning statements have not provided any reasons as to why a green belt location is 'essential' and why it cannot be located on an alternative site outwith the green belt.

“I consider this to be determining in respect of the proposal. As a result, it is considered that the proposed development fails to comply with policy 8 of NPF4 when read as a whole.

“It is considered that the proposed development fails to comply with policy 02 of LDP2 (Local Development Plan 2) in so far as stated.

“In addition, as the application development does not relate to a farm diversification proposal or a woodland related activity or it is an outdoor recreational use which is compatible with an agricultural or natural setting, the application development also does not comply with policy 23 of LDP2 for these reasons.

“All in all, therefore, and in light of the foregoing, it is considered that the principle of development in the particular circumstances of this case is not acceptable.”

A supporting statement lodged with the application seven years ago said that the purpose of the development was "to provide a high standard of accommodation in support of the local tourist industry, and said "demand for such accommodation has been increasing in this locality".

The development site near Westerhill Cottage, between Cardross and DumbartonThe development site near Westerhill Cottage, between Cardross and Dumbarton (Image: Daly Planning & Design/Argyll and Bute Council)

The statement added: "It is intended that the existing helicopter landing pad be retained, and the helicopter would be used to include to provide access directly from the airport and to other parts of Scotland."

Prior to the issuing of the refusal notice and the accompanying handling report, the last documents published on the council's website relating to the application had been an updated supporting statement by Mr Doherty's agents, Paisley-based Daly Planning and Design, submitted in March 2018, and an objection from a member of the public two months later.

In the handling report, the council officer dealing with the case added: “In this case, the application proposal, which is for a new tourism development comprising five holiday lodges, is not in a location identified for such a use in LDP2. As such, the proposal does not comply with policy 30(a) of NPF4.

“In addition, [neither] the applicant nor the supporting planning statements has provided robust or persuasive evidence/information to confirm that the application proposal satisfies all of the criteria set out in policy 30(b) of NPF4.

“In the absence of such information, I consider that the proposal fails to comply with policy 30(b) of NFP4.

"Taken in its entirety therefore, the proposal does not comply with policy 30 of NPF4 when read as a whole.”