New tourism pods at pub plan back with council
Caravan site bid
Fresh plans for three static caravans to be sited behind a Blanefield pub have been resubmitted just days after an original proposal was withdrawn.
Applicant Sandy Fraser has applied to Stirling Council planners for a change of use of land to a caravan site for three tourism pods at the Blane Valley Inn.
The original plans had been withdrawn after council roads officials raised concerns about the lack of off street car parking, adding that while it was accepted a portion of visitors may be walkers and cyclists there would also be some visitors travelling by private vehicle.
Strathblane Community Council had also backed neighbours who raised concerns that residents of the pods would be unsupervised when the pub was closed.
However, in a submission with the new application, agents for Mr Fraser said: “In terms of amenity, the application site is currently used as a beer garden ancillary to the use of the existing Blane Valley Inn.
“Given that the use of the site as part of the grounds associated with a public house has been in use for a considerable period of time, without any demonstrable impact in terms of the amenity of the neighbouring properties, it is not considered that the introduction of three tourism pods would result in any subsequent increased impact in respect of the amenity of the neighbouring properties.
“As the proposed pods would be ancillary to the existing use of the overall site, the pods would therefore be managed as part of the Blane Valley Inn, the proprietors of which reside within the existing main property and as such have a permanent on site presence. This presence would ensure that the pods could be managed and supervised constantly, in order to ensure there would be no subsequent impact on the amenity of any neighbouring properties with regards to noise.
“Additionally, given the scale of the pods, and existing boundary treatment, there would be no impact in respect of overlooking or loss of privacy on the neighbouring properties as a result of the proposal.
“Given the proximity to an existing network of paths, including links to the West Highland Way and John Muir Way, the proposal has the potential to provide affordable accommodation for walkers and would promote the opportunity to provide sustainable access to the existing recreational provision within the locality, which in turn would reduce car dependency and encourages sustainable travel options.
“In conclusion, the proposal would complement existing tourist facilities and help facilitate the sustainable movement of tourists at or between major tourist destinations, which would in turn promote a wider spread of visitors and therefore economic benefits within the locale. The proposal would also support the existing use of the site, which has struggled now for some time and has subsequently changed ownerships a number of times over recent years.”
The proposal would complement existing tourist facilities