PLANS to demolish a house on Tiree and replace it with new accommodation have been unanimously given the go-ahead by councillors.

Liz Maxwell’s bid to make the changes at Comraich in Mannal had attracted 25 objections from the public to Argyll and Bute Council, along with 14 expressions of support.

But the authority’s planning, protective services and licensing committee agreed to award planning permission, with one councillor congratulating Ms Maxwell on the plans.

The committee met on Wednesday, September 18, having already been recommended to approve the plans by council officers.

Councillor Jan Brown (SNP, Mid Argyll) said: “From the photos in the plans we have seen, these are people who belong on the island and are coming to live full-time, as opposed to other cottages which are holiday lets.

“They are to be applauded on the plans. It is a really good plan and I think this is a really good proposal.”

Councillor Paul Kennedy (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh and Lomond South) then asked: “Does the applicant have square metres for the existing site and the new house? It is significantly larger.”

Planning officer Tim Williams said: “The applicant owns a strip of land linking down to the foreshore.

“The existing dwelling has a footprint of 72.8 square metres. The proposal in front of members is 121 square metres, and half of that is a single storey.

“The part sitting away from it has limited accommodation.”

All councillors in the meeting then agreed to the recommendation that planning permission should be granted.