Caravan site’s longer season bid
A Tyndrum camping and caravan site is hoping to extend its opening season.
George McNaughton of Pine Trees Leisure Park has applied to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners to vary a condition of planning permission for the family-owned operation.
The site caters for a mixed number of existing static caravans, chalets and lodges including touring caravans and tents and is said to be a central location and ideal stopping-off point for visitors of the West Highland Way as well as travellers going to anticipated demand and volumes of waste.
Full details on waste deposit arrangements at Polmaise and Callander are available on the Stirling Council website.
Environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson said: “I’m pleased we are now in a position to reopen two of our household waste and recycling centres to residents across Stirling.
“We know the closure of these facilities has been frustrating for the public, but like all Scottish local authorities, we had to wait until Scottish Government guidance on essential travel changed before we could make this decision.
“If you are planning on using the sites, please read the instructions on our website, expect queues and follow the guidance of officers at the site.”
The reopening of Polmaise and Callander follows the resumption of the normal kerbside bin collection service on 1 June, giving residents an additional route to remove built-up waste and recycling from their properties during lockdown.
Vice convener Councillor Danny Gibson said: “This is another welcome step forward in restarting our waste further afield to destinations like Glencoe, Oban and the Scottish Islands.
Approval was granted in 2015 to cover some retrospective works for the siting of seven extra caravans, one of the conditions of which was restricted occupancy of the static caravans, tweed lodges and octagonal lodge from March 1 until October 31 in any given year.
Now, however, the family want to increase the season, extending the occupancy period for an additional three months compared to their current permission of eight months.
In documents submitted with the application, agents said: “The park would have a planned closure for one month between January 5 to February 5.
“This proposal is to help improve the economic sustainability of the business and the local economy. The park currently has three fulltime members of staff who stay all year round to deal with the day-to-day running and maintenance upkeep of the park during the opening season. These full-time staff members would allow the park to be managed appropriately throughout the proposed increased opening period and carry out essential maintenance during the closed period of January.
“The increased opening times would also allow the park to accommodate winter travellers to the close by ski slopes and help add to the income from tourism into the area.”
Park planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.