Lonan Drive extension timing attracts criticism

Argyll and Bute Council says there is “nothing untoward” in its granting an extension to a much-opposed Oban housing plan over a bank holiday weekend, writes Sandy Neil.

A renewed plan to build more than 40 homes on green space near the town’s Lonan Drive has attracted over 70 objections, including from Oban Community Council.

The developers behind the proposals have changed. The new owner, Drimvargie Properties Ltd, is now seeking renewed planning permission in principle.

Previously, TSL’s application to build the homes had been approved in principle at a public hearing, winning by a casting vote.

A council planning officer requested more information for the application on Wednesday May 24, to be submitted within three weeks.

“In the event the requested information is not submitted within the agreed time period, I must advise it would be my intention to refuse the application on the basis of lack of information.”

The email states the officer’s work pattern as Monday to Thursday, with Friday off.

That Friday, May 26, an emailed reply from the applicant said: “We are currently engaging specialists to deal with the points raised in your email but will require more time to complete the large body of work requested. We therefore formally request an extension of time to the response period.”

The planning officer confirmed the time extension in an email lodged on the council’s planning portal on Sunday May 28.

A Lonan Drive resident posted on a campaign group’s social media page on May 28: “Planning application extension requested on a Friday and granted on Sunday to facilitate requirements.

“Despite the planning officer only working on Monday to Thursdays, they found time on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday to go above and beyond to expedite a formal grant to an extension requested.

“I wish all of us benefited from such a dedicated council service on bank holiday weekend.”

A council spokesperson said: “There is nothing untoward about this. We process almost 2,000 planning applications each year and, like many council officers, our dedicated planning team often works beyond the standard 9 to 5 to get work done.”

The spokesperson also said the council was not closed over the bank holiday weekend.

A subsequent document said, due to the public interest in the application, it will be determined by the planning and protective services committee, meeting in August after the July recess.