Caravan approved despite concerns
‘Tourism pod’objectors have traffic worries
A static ‘caravan’ looks set to be sited in Strathblane despite concerns being raised.
Ms Fiona Aborida has been granted approval by Stirling Council planners for a change of use of land next to and west of 10 Milndavie Road to allow a “tourism pod”.
However, two representations had been submitted raising concerns that the proposal would have a negative visual impact, and its use as a holiday let would bring noise and disruption. Adverse impact upon roads, parking and access rights was also raised.
One contributor said the site was currently used as the only parking area for the applicant’s existing livery and riding school businesses and that already if the car park was full customers tried to park in the driveways of neighbouring properties.
However, park planners said:
“The proposal represents a smallscale tourism development for the siting of a single pod, commensurate in scale with the location, amenity and setting within the built and natural environment.
“Stirling Council Roads have raised no objection to the pod using the existing arrangement for access/egress, which is currently used in association with Milndavie Farm Riding School for the transporting/delivery of horses, as well as providing vehicle access to the neighbouring residential property which has a right of servitude.
“The level of traffic associated with the development is minimal and will have no impact on the public road.”
The pod will measure around 5.4 metres by three metres and be 2.6 metres high with vertical timber cladding to the front and rear and a timber wrap-over curved roof. It will have a single door to the front, and small window to the back, with a sitting/sleeping area and a toilet/ shower inside.
Immediately west of the site are two core paths, one providing a pedestrian link into Strathblane and the other providing a link into the surrounding recreational path network including The West Highland Way and The John Muir Way.
The planners said the proposal was consistent with planning policies supporting tourism development and would complement existing facilities.
They added: “It will help facilitate the sustainable movement of tourists at or between major tourist destinations.
“Milndavie Farm Riding School provides the opportunity for families to enjoy tourism related recreational opportunities within the Strathblane surrounding countryside. There is to be no detrimental visual impact on the site or that of the wider surrounding landscape.
“The applicant will be managing the running of the site, which will further reduce any potential impact on the amenity of the locale in terms of noise, with a round the clock presence provided. With regards to the neighbouring residential property to the north, it is not considered these proposals will adversely impact upon its amenity due to orientation, design and due to the separation distance it will have between it and this property.
“As part of the management of the existing riding school, it is the applicant’s intention to remove some of the horse boxes that currently occupy part of the application site, in order that the proposal can be comfortably and adequately accommodated on the site. Adequate parking provision is being provided to accommodate the requirements of the existing riding school as well as that of the proposed pod.”