House plan could help save community shop
Gartmore’s community shop is hoping developing land behind the store will help secure its future.
The shop, which is community owned, has submitted an application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners seeking permission to build a house behind its premises on Main Street.
While the shop is seen as essential for the small village, it nevertheless is said to “struggle”.
In a submission to the planners, the applicants said: “Gartmore Shop and the flat above, called Ochil View, are community owned. There is a garden to the rear measuring approximately 50x13 metres. It comprises a patio at the back of the shop and garden ground from there to the lane at the rear. There is a small building containing a bedroom, shower and toilet, and a store in the garden.
“The garden is surprlus to the requirements of the shop and the flat, which serves as accommodation for staff working in the adjacent Black Bull Hotel, which is also owned by the community.
“The proposal is to retain the patio as outside space for the occupant of the flat, and dispose of the remaining garden, with permission for a new house on the land.
“Money from the sale of the land will be used for the upkeep and repair of the shop and flat, putting it back into the community.
“This would be a huge benefit to the shop, which is vital to the village, but struggles to be profitable.”
They added that the plot would be “a good size for a modest house of 100 square metres, being 39 metres long by 13 wide”.
Access for pedestrians from the Square exists, and there is also access from the lane for pedestrians and vehicles.
“Although a few small bungalows have been built along the lane, the site does not lend itself to this type of development,” they added, “which would look out of place in this long plot.
“The design proposed is based on the idea of the traditional outbuilding in Scottish rural settlements, built to one side of the plot, with a lean-to roof and built of materials more suited to the utilitarian environment.
“With existing neighbours on both sides, and in the flat behind, it is important not to infringe too much on their amenity, and for that reason, a single-storey house, with low pitched roof is proposed. It will not overlook any of the adjacent properties and will allow the residents of Ochil View to retain their superb views towards the Ochil Hills.
“Being single storey, with wide doorways and circulation spaces, the house will provide a fully barrier free living space for disabled people.
“Pedestrian access via the gate in the square will provide disabled access, as the two steps up to the site will be replaced by a sloping path. The rear lane has a solid cobbled surface which is suitable for vehicular traffic and it regularly provides access for HGV delivery vehicles. The dry stone wall at the lane, and the gates, will be reconfigured to ease access into the site, where at least two car parking spaces are available.
“Existing trees will be retained, with two apple trees being relocated towards the new fence line. This will provide separation between the properties and maximise daylight provision for the house.
“The garden will be laid out to lawn and planting beds. There is room for clothes drying and a bin store, and beds for fruit and vegetable cultivation will be included.”
Park planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.