Revamp at holiday site would bring jobs

A holiday park in Balmaha could be revamped.

Charles Cottam has submitted an application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners seeking to demolish the building‘Tigh Fiodha’and relocate warden’s accomodation as well as build five new holiday lodges at Loch LomondWaterfront.

Existing lodges were completed in 2007 as part of the redevelopment of the former Ben Lomond Nursery and Garden Centre site. The consent was the first commercial approval granted by the then new national park planning committee in 2005.

Subsequent applications saw some remaining buildings from the garden centre converted into a licensed function venue.

The business currently owns and operates 11, five star self- catering lodges as well as a wedding/ functions venue with a capacity of around 150 persons.

In a submission to park planners, Mr Cottam said:“Both elements of our business have flourished and performed in line with our original projections but the lodges have been operating at capacity for the last few years with occupancy rates reaching 95 per cent in many summer months.

“The lodges enjoy an unusually high level of returning guests and customer satisfaction. As a family owned, medium sized, luxury lodge operator we compete in a sector dominated by large, multi- site corporations.

“The wedding/ function business is purposely restricted to a small number of weekend-long, premium events during the year. This means that the associated buildings are significantly underused but lodge guests and neighbours are not disturbed unnecessarily by large numbers of day guests and late night operations.

“The company employs 11 permanent staff. All our staff members live locally including two families which live on site in accommodation provided by the company.”

Loch Lomond Waterfront managing director Mr Cottam said the proposal would allow the company to expand capacity and meet demand for three to seven night stays as well as cater for a new market with single and two night stay lodge designs.

The wedding business would also be closed and the function suite redeveloped.

Five extra permanent jobs wouled be created and three existing posts would change from part time to full time.

Park planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.