Planning go-ahead for Cameron House rebuild
The owners of Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond have been given the green light to restore the building’s facade and carry out other renovation works following a devastating fire which resulted in the death of two guests.
Officials from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority have approved the hotel owners’ planning application to demolish and replace parts of the main building.
Planning officer Craig Jardine said in a report that the park authority recognised the economic importance of the work to restore the fivestar hotel.
The fire, in December 2017, claimed the lives of guests Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson.
The building was handed back to its owners in July, but an investigation continues into the cause of the blaze.
In his report on the appliPlans cation, Mr Jardine said: ‘The proposals to carry out the facade retention, removal of internal walls, described temporary downtakings, and subsequent reinstatement and installation of a new internal structure are justified.
‘The proposed new extensions and alterations are sympathetically designed and positioned.
‘The proposals to reinstate the fire-damaged listed building and its use, for the benefit of the cultural heritage and for continued economic benefit, is supported as being in accordance with the historic environment aims, principles and policies set out in Scottish Planning Policy.
‘[It is also in line with] Historic Environment Scotland policy statement, the national park’s first aim to conserve and enhance cultural heritage, National Park Partnership Plan outcomes and the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan.’
Mr Jardine’s report added that natural heritage and environmental factors had been mitigated as part of the plans and provided for in accordance with policies.