Ex-Provost’s campsite proposal is withdrawn

Leisure venture at Ledard Farm sparked flood of objections

A past Provost’s controversial campsite application for the banks of Loch Ard, which attracted objections from locals including former Scottish Office Minister Lord Forsyth, has been withdrawn.

Fergus Wood, who recently failed in his bid to be re-elected as a Stirling councillor, and his wife Francesca, had submitted an application to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park for a change of use to land at Ledard Farm at Kinlochard near Aberfoyle.

They wanted to create a camping site including tent pitches, camping pods plus a reception building with toilets, a shop and manager’s accommodation.

However, the bid sparked a number of objections from locals - including from Michael Forsyth, now known as Lord Forsyth of Drumlean.

In his submission to park planners, Lord Forsyth said: “Local people were not notified properly about the submission of this application and there is a growing chorus of local concern, which I and my wife share, at the scale of this project and the damage it will do to an area of outstanding natural beauty and the amenity of Loch Ard.”

Lord Forsyth suggested the proposals breached the Local Development Plan and added: “The drainage and sewage arrangements are not clear and must be a threat to the water quality of the loch.

“The layby beside the site is used for parking by walkers climbing Ben Venue and offers a beautiful view over the field to the loch. Both would be casualties of these proposals. The B829 road is a dead end and narrow in places and subject to heavy traffic and flooding. The inclusion of motor homes will add to the difficulties and the risks to walkers and cyclists. The field is home to a population of geese and the Ledard burn is an important spawning burn.

“The light pollution, noise and overdevelopment will reduce the amenity for residents in Kinlochard and spoil the experience enjoyed by timeshare owners at Forest Hills and other visitors.

“The applicant owns the land on the north side of the road which would be a more suitable site but would still raise concerns.”

However, the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the independent conservation and heritage charity for the National Park area, had confirmed their support for the development, saying it would help address the shortage of camping provision in the National Park and provide economic spin offs for local retail and catering businesses.

Chairman James Fraser had told the park planners: “This is a well thought out scheme that takes advantage of roadside tree and shrub screening and includes additional planting to minimise the visual impact of the development.

“The reception building is well sited to take advantage of existing screening and also to provide a convenient pullover for users of the toilets which are being made available for the general public. The tent pitches are in more open countryside but use of this part of the site is likely to be more seasonal so the year round visual impact will be less. The scale and mix of accommodation types for this site is appropriate and the inclusion of six camping pods, which tend to be less seasonal, should help ensure the overall viability of the site.

“It is encouraging to see this development coming forward at this time following the introduction of the new camping restrictions and camping management zones.”

As the Observer went to press Mr Wood was not available for comment and it is unclear whether revised plans will be submitted.