BELLANOCH BRAE PLOT SALE OUTRAGE
Work to clear a scenic plot of land up for auction near Tayvallich has outraged a rural community, who are demanding it be restored.
Argyll and Bute Council has already issued a Temporary Stop Notice on the plot at Bellanoch Brae which has halted any more work being carried out but angry residents are waiting to see what happens next.
The plot is being marketed by Glasgow-based real estate auctioneer Prime Property at a guide price of £12,500 pitching it as “perfect for those who love the outdoor life” and suggesting it may “lend itself well for chalets or glamping pods” being in a “fantastic” location close to Bellanoch Marina and Tayvallich.
North Knapdale Community Council had it on the agenda this month, giving concerned residents an update. Although Argyll and Bute Council cannot stop the land from being sold, its planning enforcement officer has been in discussions with the land owner who leased the site to the person who carried out the work, carving into the raised bank and clearing it back to bare earth.
A For Auction signpost at the plot scrawled with the word “vandalism” has been removed.
The owner has been told about the enforcement liability on him, according to an email passed to the community council via Councillor Dougie Philand.
The email said it had been agreed no further notices will be served until after Friday May 26 and that the land owner had implied they intended to put in a planning application by then.
If no application is submitted by that date it is “highly likely” an enforcement notice will be issued for the ground to be reinstated to its original condition. Cameron MacInnes, from Fort William, who identified himself as the owner of the plot and said it was he who carried out the work, said he was not auctioning off the land for it to be developed for housing.
Mr MacInnes, who deals in machinery and “bought” the plot six months ago, said he had sorted out drainage and planted grass seeds so it would soon be “lovely and green” rather than boggy.
“It’s up to any buyer what they do with it but I’m not selling it for houses to be developed.
“It’s about lifestyle change, getting a break from the city or big town and coming out here to live simply and to enjoy the open space and what the area has to offer.” The plot, extending to about 0.34 acres, failed to sell at the monthly auction in May but is now listed to go under virtual hammer again on
A fledgling but popular car wash business in Tarbert has been forced to close after an enforcement notice was slapped on it by council planners following a complaint.
Argyll Car Wash was set up in December last year by Chloe Brown in her father Gordon Brown’s premises on Campbeltown Road in the village, providing car washing and interior valeting services.
Gordon, who has run his business employing five people out of the property for the past seven years, told the Advertiser: “My daughter loves cars, goes to car shows, and wanted to turn her hand to cleaning them.”
But following the complaint to Argyll and Bute Council, the car wash was given a planning enforcement notice from planning officials in January and last month Chloe received a “contravention notice” letter from planning officers, citing the “unauthorised use” of the rented shed building despite being the base of her father’s company Argyll Window Repair.
Before making a planning application, Gordon was advised by a planning officer to check if SEPA and Scottish Water were likely to object.
“Neither SEPA nor Scottish Water were in objection to the car wash,” he said, adding: “But we were told that Transport Scotland could have a problem with traffic reversing onto the A83 trunk road, but we have taken steps to avoid this, as vehicles can leave the premises by going onto Croft Park without using the trunk road – there is enough room outside the shed to do that, and not enter the trunk road first.”
As a result, Gordon was advised that they were unlikely to get planning permission, even though the shed building once housed council vehicles as a fleet support depot.
“Chloe is only working on 20 or 30 cars a week – it is not a big urban valet bay dealing with hundreds of vehicles in the same time period.
“Any traffic on the trunk road from the car wash would still be really low in comparison, anyway. In such tough economic times, surely a business like this should be welcomed?
“If it grows it could even employ other people.”
Alastair Redman, Kintyre and the Islands councillor, was disappointed that a small-scale business was being “discouraged”.
He said: “I think this is a massive over-reaction.
“This is a thriving and locally popular small-scale business, led by a young person showing tremendous entrepreneurial spirit in North Kintyre, which should be embraced, not discouraged.”
On announcing the cessation of Argyll Car Wash on social media, there was a strong reaction from villagers, who supported the business.
Chloe responded on Facebook: “I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to every single person who has supported me starting up the Argyll Car Wash back in December 2022.
“I didn’t think I would ever have this much support.
“And right now, with not being able to get planning permission, it’s lovely to have so many of you that will have my back and support me.
“Believe me, your kindness and support goes such a long way and won’t be forgotten.”
Chloe plans to take Argyll Car Wash on the road, with father Gordon adding that an application for a street trader’s licence was in hand.
Argyll and Bute Council said it could not comment on the situation as it was “a live ongoing investigation”.