Snack bar idea rejected
Permission has been refused for a snack bar on a layby between Lochearnhead and St Fillans after National Park planners said it would spoil the view.
Michelle Maxwell of The Frothy Cow in Callander had applied for a change of use of a roadside layby on the south side of the A85, currently a stopping place for people looking for a view of Loch Earn.
Ms Maxwell wanted to site a mobile snack van selling a range of hot drinks, cakes and soup.
One representation was made by Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Community Council which was neither in support nor against the proposal.
The community council had noted that a previous application for a snack bar at the location in 1998 was refused, but said it was unclear on what grounds and if it would still apply in 2022. It also said litter was already an issue at the site and along the A85 and“robust measures” would need to be put in place by the applicant to deal with disposable waste or the snack bar business would make the litter situation worse.
In their decision, National Park planners said:“supporting information submitted by the applicant outlines the justification for the snack van to be sited where it is proposed, and why it cannot be sited within the two villages.
“The statement outlines that there are no commercial unique and attractive places to stop within either village. There is an allocated site for mixed use visitor experience and economic development within Lochearnhead offering an opportunity for development, and there is no justification as to why the snack van cannot take place there.
“The applicant states that the facility will add interest, vibrancy and activity to St Fillans and Lochearnhead without adversely impacting traffic from the local villages or taking away from already established business.
“However there is no detailed evidence for this and it seems likely that customers using the mobile snack van may then not require to stop at the nearby villages and instead continue on their journey.
“The snack van would be highly visible from road users on the A85, and also from across the loch due to the poor screening in the area. Furthermore, the design and colour proposed from the supporting statement submitted will also further the visual impact in the area. It is therefore thought that the site of the proposed coffee trailer would introduce an intrusive visual element.
“The refusal of the 1998 application was on the grounds that the proposal was contrary to policy relating to visual amenity.
“Conditions would have been placed to safeguard the area from litter if planning permission was to be granted.”