A FORMER Oban garden centre site could become student accommodation – but only for 10 years.

Planning permission in principle is being sought for the proposed development at the former Cakebreads Garden Centre on Soroba Road, which closed in July 2023.

A statement on behalf of applicants Oban Joinery Services did not specify how many units were part of the plans, but said that “every avenue” should be explored on a lack of housing provision.

A decision on whether to award planning permission in principle is expected from Argyll and Bute Council planning officers by early November. The plans are now available for the public to view and submit feedback.

A supporting statement by Beaton and McMurchy Architects Ltd said: “The proposal is to provide small but desperately needed student/worker accommodation modular units for a temporary period on site for 10 years.

“Each unit contains a bedroom/living area and a shower room together with small external amenity space and car parking. The units would be two storeys high and constructed a very short distance from the site within the Combie Street yard of the applicant, Oban Joinery Services (OJS).

“For several years, the applicant has championed, developed and pursued the building and use of modular accommodation units to, in part, address the increasing levels of chronic housing shortage that currently exists within Argyll.

“The lack of housing provision is a serious and unfortunately well embedded problem in the area. Every avenue must therefore be explored to assist towards a solution where key and other workers roles cannot be filled because of a desperate lack of housing accommodation.

“The proposed units aim to assist in providing temporary accommodation for workers or students coming to the area and as a first step to them, on the property ladder. The need is great for low cost, modular, sustainable accommodation which these units will provide.”

The statement added: “To get to this point, Oban Joinery Services have had numerous meetings and discussions with a wide range of public bodies to understand the accommodation issues that those bodies are experiencing and to see what support can be given to advancing the objectives of OJS in this field.

“Those bodies highly supportive of the objectives of OJS include HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science), the Council and other interested bodies.

“The site of the former Cakebreads Garden Centre would seem ideally suited to accommodate several modular accommodation units.

“The site is flat, is not subject to flooding, accessible to all services, within a short walking distance to transportation and the town centre etc. and neighbours existing housing at McCall Terrace.”

To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 24/01594/PPP.