Camping site plan rejected

AN APPLICATION for a ‘rural’ campervan site on the Isle of Mull was turned down by planners at Argyll and Bute Council, Mull Community Council heard last Tuesday (January 11).

The site would have accommodated campervans that park in the Loch Buie area but would have encouraged responsible waste disposal and offered fresh water for the campers to use.

The community council was told the application was for a few environmentally-friendly toilets and a cold water tap for showers.

The application was turned down because a camping area was not in the local development plan.

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon said: ‘RET wasn’t in the local plan and yet we are having to deal with all these extra visitors and campervans to the island.

‘ If it can be provided and there is a need for it, we need to make sure all the considerations of increased demand for camping areas are taken into account within or without the current Mull plan.’

Jane Stephens, a community councillor, said: ‘ It is very necessary down there and the opportunity to improve the road into the area.’

The community council heard that the area already accommodates five or six ‘ wild’ campervans every night during the holiday season.

The plans before the local authority was for 10 spaces.

The community council agreed to write to the local authority to support the application and ask for the matter to be reconsidered.