PLANS have been submitted for changes to a major tourist development on the banks of Loch Lomond...more than three years after proposals were given the green light.
The Loch Lomond Group, and Luss Estates, have asked for permission to change aspects of a plan for a 'mixed use' development featuring a distillery, restaurant, visitor centre and warehouse.
Permission for the development was originally granted by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in February 2021.
The new application also reveals a change of operator for the proposed development, which three years ago was being spearheaded by the Glen Luss Craft Brewery & Distillery.
Planning chiefs are currently considering the application, with a ruling expected by the middle of September.
The National Park Authority's board and planning committee both include elected members of Argyll and Bute Council.
A design statement supporting the application says that preliminary work at the site began in February.
That would be just in time to comply with the standard condition of any planning approval that work must start within three years of permission being granted.
The design statement says: “In 2021, planning permission was granted to convert the former smokehouse on Church Road in Luss, and build new buildings adjacent and on a site at the north end of the new south car park, to form a distillery and visitor experience.
“With a change of potential operator, some small changes are proposed to the consented design to align with the new operators aspirations.
“A public engagement event is to take place on the same weekend as the Luss Highland Gathering to highlight the latest proposals for the site.”
Luss Highland Gathering took place on Saturday, July 6, with the statement dated two days prior to that date.
The statement added: “In February 2024 works commenced on the consented application, having satisfied all the pre-commencement conditions. An opening from the roadway was formed and the beginnings of the roadway on the area known as the ‘west site’ were laid, together with the pouring the concrete foundations for the greenhouse.
“On the ‘east site’, works commenced by forming the foundations for the extension to the former smokehouse.
“Pre-application discussions have been held over the last few months as the overall design for the new operator developed.
“The original concept remains unchanged, there has been a net reduction in the overall new floorspace created, the quality of materials has been significantly enhanced, and some of the internal uses of the spaces have been moved around.
“While it has been acknowledged that some of these changes could be considered ‘non material’, some of the changes, and the cumulative nature, are considered to be material, leading to submitting a planning application for these changes.”
The original development proposal was spearheaded by the Glen Luss Craft Brewery & Distillery, but that organisation's Facebook and Instagram pages haven't been updated since February 2022, and the website address provided at both of those social media accounts - glenluss.co.uk - appears to no longer be active.
The Loch Lomond Group, with its headquarters in Alexandria, produces spirit brands including Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia single malt Scotch whisky as well as Ben Lomond Gin and Glen's vodka.
To view documents relating to the application, and submit feedback, visit eplanning.lochlomond-trossachs.org and use the reference number 2024/0189/DET.
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