PROPOSALS to site student and worker accommodation on a former Oban garden centre site have been withdrawn on the advice of council officials.

Oban Joinery Services sought planning permission in principle to build the accommodation units for 10 years at the former Cakebreads Garden Centre site on Soroba Road.

However, a council official said that the plans should not be supported as they would be at odds with the Local Development Plan 2.

The health and safety executive also registered an objection with Argyll and Bute Council, on the grounds of safety.

And after discussions, the applicants have agreed to withdraw the application, which would have seen the accommodation units in place for 10 years.

An official from the council’s development policy team said: “Most of the proposed site is shown within an area identified as ‘transport infrastructure’ on the Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) proposals maps.

“The importance of a strategic approach for Oban is set out through LDP2 proposal A – Oban Strategic Development Framework, which specifically references the Oban development road (ODR).

“It is important that the areas identified for transport infrastructure on the proposals maps are safeguarded from development that would undermine the actions set out in the LDP2 delivery programme.

“It is considered that the proposal would undermine these actions and should therefore be considered as contrary to Local Development Plan 2 and should not be supported.”

In an email to the applicants’ planning agent, a council planning officer said: “In light of the above, given the impact of the proposed development on the route for the proposed ODR, together with the objection from the health and safety executive, I must advise that officers are unable to support the proposal, and would ask that you arrange to withdraw the application otherwise it will be recommended for refusal.”

Planning agent Eric MacMurchy responded: “After consideration, our client would like to withdraw this application please.”