Wedding canopy refused
A wedding venue near Kinlochard has been refused planning permission for a canopy large enough to accommodate 120 people.
Mr and Mrs Rios McCrone had applied to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners for the removable canopy structure“for occasional use”at Altskeith Country House near Aberfoyle.
Noise concerns, however, led the planners to refuse the application, which had attracted four objections plus a further objection from Stirling Council environmental health officers.
The planners said, while the canopy might be supported in terms of being a small scale expansion to visitor facilities, it would adversely impact the amenity of the area and be unsympathetic to the architectural and historical merit of Altskeith House, as well as affecting neighbouring properties.
They added:“Altskeith Country House is a large traditional property located adjacent to the lochshore of Loch Ard with substantial grounds. The property is approximately 1.5km east of Kinlochard and has residential properties located either side with an extensive area of ancient woodland on the hillside to the rear. Located approximately 500 metres to the west are the buildings and grounds of the‘Forest Hills’holiday complex.
“Whilst Altskeith House is not a listed building it is a building of local interest noted for its architectural merit, in a prominent position. The building is in use as holiday accommodation, function and wedding venue.
“The proposed development is the siting of a removable canopy structure which would be temporarily attached to the western elevation of the existing building. It is intended that the canopy is used for wedding ceremonies which usually involves the canopy being erected for a period of three to four days at a time. The maximum occupancy of the sail area is 120 people.
“The proposed canopy is a beige coloured waterproof fabric supported by a system of black metal poles and tensioned cables. The proposed canopy measures 18 metres by 8.7 metres and would be approximately 5 metres in height at the highest point.
“The canopy, by providing the opportunity for a significant number of guests to frequent under it, would have an adverse impact on noise and the amenity of neighbouring properties and adversely impact on the Special Landscape Qualities of the National Park, specifically tranquillity.
“The canopy structure has previously been used at the application site, however does not benefit from planning permission.”
The four individual objections had also cited issues including that there was no need for the canopy given previous planning approval had already been given for an extension to the venue to provide a function room.