Holiday chalet scheme gets the green light

Holiday chalets look set to be built on an overgrown site in Lochearnhead.

Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners have approved an application by Scottish Heritage Properties Ltd for the three timber chalets, parking and landscaping at land next to Vorlich Road, on the north side of a private road leading east from Auchraw Terrace.

The private access road is shared by nine other dwellings.

Revised plans had been submitted which attracted no objections, however there had been five objectors to the original plans raising issues including questioning how the chalets would be used, scale, increased traffic and loss of wildlife.

The chalets are three bedroom, one and a half story timber dwellings each with a footprint of around 7.3m x 8.5m x 6.6m in height. At ground level the lounge/diner area would open out onto a terrace, above which there would be a covered terrace at first floor level with access to the upstairs master bedroom.

In their decision, park planners said: “The right to a private view for existing residents is not a planning consideration however, notwithstanding the separation and setdown proposed, maintains a sufficient degree of outlook and affords southerly views between the chalets. The amended design addresses concerns relating to scale and outlook that were raised by objectors to the original scheme, and the proposed relationship is considered acceptable.

“Car parking would be arranged to the south of the chalets. There are two spaces for each chalet. There are no objections to the proposal from the roads authority although they have recommended that the applicant consider how they intend to manage the construction process given the constraints of the road.

“The proposal incorporates a footpath to accommodate the private right of way.

“The chalets are proposed to be used for holiday purposes however there is a prospect that the properties could be sold on separately. To ensure that the landscaping is appropriately maintained in the future, whether the site remain in single ownership or otherwise, a condition is included for the maintenance arrangements.

“There is no evidence of the presence of protected or invasive species on site but a range of songbird species are present which are likely to roost in trees and vegetation on site. A condition is therefore recommended to ensure that no vegetation clearance occurs in the bird nesting season without prior checks.

The site will be landscaped and the inclusion of new native species of trees and shrubs would compensate for losses and afford new opportunities for nesting birds in the longer term.”

The chalets are proposed to be used for holiday purposes however there is a prospect that the properties could be sold on separately .... a condition is included for the maintenance