Hol homes approved
Treehouse holiday accommodation looks set to be created near Gargunnock.
Stirling Council planners have granted conditional approval of an application by James Findlay for four holiday accommodation units and infrastructure at land 200 metres west of East Lodge at Leckie Estate.
Two representations were made on the application noting that red squirrels were on the site and asking that trees be checked for bat roosts and nesting birds.
In their decision, the planners said:“the holiday accommodations are of a treehouse style and will be raised from the ground. The units are to be finished in larch cladding and will include timber framed windows.
“There is a previous approval on this site for a similar type of development, The policies which supported this application have not changed significantly and it is therefore considered that the principle of development can be accepted.
“Due to the site’s wooded location, the proposed development can be accommodated within the landscape sensitively. The units will be treated but left unpainted so as to have minimal visual impact.
“In order to ensure that the proposed development cannot be used at a future point as housing an occupancy condition is recommended to ensure continued tourist accommodation use.
“The access road is acceptable and previously there has been an approval for a forestry track. Roads have recommended conditions relating to the core path, visibility sightlines and parking standards.”
The planners acknowledged that“by its nature”the devleopment would have an impact on the woodland.
However, they added:“some limited tree removal is required to accommodate development. In consultation with the applicant, the site design has been revised to ensure minimal impact on the woodland. Conditions have been included relating to tree protection measures to ensure trees are protected from the development. These are in line with the conditions of the previous approval on the site.
“The applicant has carried out surveys identifying protected species within the site, which has identified red squirrels and bats for example. A condition has been included to ensure clear mitigation measures can be reported to the planning authority and agreed in writing. This will ensure the proposals are constructed without a significant impact upon the local landscape and the biodiversity of the site.”