PLANS have been revealed for a mixed use retail and hot food development, along with short-term holiday let apartments, at a Dunoon town centre site.

Argyll and Bute Council officials are considering a bid for planning permission in principle at 105-109 Argyll Street, by Cowal House Hotels Ltd.

The site was previously home to several shops before it was lost to fire in August 2021. The replacement building is planned to contain two storeys.

A decision from the authority is expected by mid-November, although the application is for planning permission in principle. The public can now view plans and submit feedback.

A supporting statement by planning agent Jamie MacFarlane said: “In summary, the proposed development is for replacement retail floor space in Dunoon town centre, with ‘enabling’ residential holiday let accommodation above.

“The replacement building will replace the single storey building lost to fire and its two-storey massing will appear to be a more permanent infill of the gap in the urban fabric with more gravitas than a single storey structure. It will continue the line of two-storey structures along the southwestern side of Argyll Street.

“The development due to its town centre location will assist knit the fabric of the urban environment together with the car parking requirements of the temporary residential units contributing to the municipally owned car park usage.

“Similarly, users utilising the retail units are likely to park in the same carpark with it’s direct pedestrian link to Argyll Street, which will be upgraded to improve the approach on to Argyll Street.

“The development will provide lost retail floor space as well as some town centre short term holiday accommodation, placing businesses and holiday makers in the centre of the town.”

Mr MacFarlane added: “The development will be a positive response to the loss of the four retail units that previously occupied the site, which takes the opportunity to provide the perceived activity of a street frontage into Argyll Street where passive surveillance will improve the overall security around the clock.

“I commend this exciting development as a forward thinking developers vision to Argyll and Bute Council.”

To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 24/01691/PPP.