PLANS to extend the scale of a holiday letting business near Helensburgh have been approved by National Park officials.

The owners of Crosskeys Cottage and Glenfruin Lodge, at the Crosskeys roundabout on the A818, have secured approval from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority for a ‘change of use’ of land at the site to enable two new lodges to be built for holiday use.

A report on the application, prepared by a park authority official, states: “The applicant has provided a business plan which outlines the vision for their short term letting business, detailing their market research in this area, analysis, sales, marketing, pricing, staff and suppliers, and finance plan.

“Having successfully managed and operated Glenfruin Lodge and Crosskeys Cottage from their home on site (Crosskeys), they now wish to expand the business using existing underutilised land within the site to establish two more holiday properties, with the long-term business goal of the four properties providing their sole income within five years.

“It is concluded that with the proposed mitigation measures (existing Scots Pines retained, increased planting and hedgerow reinstatement), that there would be no significant landscape and visual impacts.

“The proposed chalets will enhance the visitor experience of the National Park and offer a bespoke and high quality product.

“The accommodation is in the style of a chalet (x2) with an EPDM roof and composite timber clad sides. Both chalets would have their own outdoor amenity space and French doors leading out.

“The design is typical of rural holiday accommodation and it therefore appropriate within this context.

"The small scale and overall finish, with additional planting and hedging, will ensure that they are inconspicuous within the landscape.”