Plans for Portnahaven house approved
Plans for a house to be built on Islay have been given the go-ahead by council chiefs.
Eric Merrall submitted the plans to Argyll and Bute Council for the property and a detached garage to be sited on land west of 1 Claddach at Portnahaven.
No representations were received from the public and no statutory consultees raised any objections, with council planning officers deciding to grant permission.
A planning officer said: ‘The ground floor extended central area has the dining/kitchen and utility areas with the living area to the west and a bedroom to the east.
‘The upper floor is for two further bedrooms, utility and storage, the void above the dining room and loft space. The principle elevation is to the south and includes the main fenestration including the A-frame for the dining area.
‘The plot is within the curtilage of the farm steading and takes up part of an existing hardstanding/yard area. The site is covered by the SSSI [sites of special specific interest] and SPA [special protection area] but is not deemed by consultees to be a threat to habitats.
‘The development of the plot is not removing any corncrake habitat, or corridors to good habitat. The plot includes a small area of designated land therefore thought needs to be given to biodiversity impacts.
‘RSPB Scotland advises that this development is unlikely to have a significant effect on the SPA or SSSI although it is noted that corncrake are on the decline and that mitigation through management of wider habitat in the locale would be appropriate, however such mitigation measures would lie outwith the scope of the current application.’
The officer added: ‘The proposal will not give rise to any material planning considerations which would support a recommendation other than approval of an application which accords with the Local Development Plan policy and relevant guidance.’