A LUXURY holiday destination on the banks of Loch Lomond is seeking to extend its five-star site.

Plans have been submitted to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority for the erection of a new entertainment building for events at Ardlui Retreat.

The attraction, near Arrochar, at the tip of the western bank of Loch Lomond, currently offers water sports opportunities, along with private fine dining, and also hosts smaller wedding ceremonies, parties and corporate gatherings.

The business is now hoping to get permission to construct an additional building at the site.

In a design and access statement submitted with the application to the National Park's planning authority, agents ICDP Architects and Blue Forest said the "premium entertainment building" would be an extension to the existing business at Ardlui Retreat.

The document states: "The central entertainment deck is to be nestled into the property grounds and create a low impact solution which will provide a space for guests of the house and lodges to host events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, corporate events and anniversaries; this will generate income for the retreat and support the existing five star offering whilst resulting in no increase in bed spaces.

A mock-up of how the site will look from the lochA mock-up of how the site will look from the loch (Image: National Park) "Each element has been designed with context in mind, so the materials, size and scale will suit the site and provide a wonderful feature for the retreat.

"The chosen location is surrounded by trees so that the building will have no detrimental impact on any neighbouring properties or views. There will be no felling of trees and additional trees will be planted.

"The building is elevated on stilts which will preserve and enhance the existing flora and fauna of the forest floor.

"The position is breath-taking with amazing views over Loch Lomond and the Ben beyond."

Ardlui Retreat, described as a "truly outstanding holiday destination", is an established tourist accommodation site which currently comprises of eight holiday chalets, a manager’s chalet, a holiday house, gym and laundry/store with associated accesses/parking, external amenity space and ancillary bbq/dining huts.

The proposed bespoke treehouse structure, which would be supported on solid timber posts, would include a 70-person function room; two external deck areas with views across the forest and Loch beyond; an entrance lobby/reception area; kitchen space and food preparation area; toilets; two parking spaces; a bin store; a boardwalk bridge to provide a 'unique and adventurous means of accessing the building'; and additional native tree planting, woodland landscaping improvements and biodiversity enhancements.

The application added: "Beyond the current holiday accommodation and outdoor dining areas, the Ardlui Retreat does not include dedicated entertainment accommodation and it is intended that the proposals will allow the whole site to be rented out for a particular function.

"The proposed development would be solely for the use of Ardlui Retreat accommodation guests, meaning that the proposals would not result in any additional trips to the venue, with accommodation guests already on site."

The application was validated earlier this month with a decision expected by the end of November.