Agenda and minutes

Members were asked to suspend Standing Order 5.4 – the Member who is presiding at the meeting must do so from the specified location for the meeting and cannot join by video conferencing.

The requisite two thirds of Members present agreed to suspend Standing Order 5.4 to enable discussion of reports on the Agenda.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He explained that no person present would be entitled to speak other than the Members of the Local Review Body (LRB) and Mr Jackson who would provide procedural advice if required.

He advised that his first task would be to establish if the Members of the LRB felt that they had sufficient information before them to come to a decision on the Review.

The Chair referred to the information provided and advised that he thought further information should be sought and a site inspection arranged before coming to a decision on this case.

Councillor McCuish commented that although there was plenty of information contained within the pack, there would be benefit in having a site inspection in order to view the accesses into and out of the site.

The Chair referred to page 32 of the pack which detailed alternative conditions.  He said he would like clarity from the Planners as to whether the use of Pier Road was for exit only or for exit and entry to the establishment.  He said he would also like clarity on whether or not removal of the gate pillars was still required.

The Chair added that he would also like clarity from the Applicant that they were content with the condition restricting the number of delegates to 14.

Councillor Blair agreed that clarity was required on whether or not the gate pillars still required to be removed if there were now proposed alterations to the existing access on to Pier Road.

Councillor McCuish agreed with the detail of the further information to be requested from Planning and the Applicant.

A discussion was held regarding the feasibility of holding a site inspection in August and holding a face to face meeting thereafter in the local area given the current restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.  Mr Jackson referred to being guided by Scottish Government advice and said that arrangements would be made for a site inspection as soon as this was possible.  The possibility of holding a face to face meeting would also be considered.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Local Review Body agreed to:

1.    request from the Planning Officer clarity on whether the access onto Pier Road was to be used for exiting the premises only or for exiting and entering the premises;

2.    request from the Planning Officer clarity on whether or not there was still a requirement for the gate pillars to be removed.

3.    request from the Applicant confirmation that they were content with the condition restricting the number of delegates to 14;

4.    hold an accompanied site inspection to view the existing accesses onto Pier Road and Garloch Road and invite all interested parties to attend;

5.    note that the date of the site inspection and second calling of the meeting will be dependent on current restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic being lifted/eased by the Scottish Government; and

6.    adjourn the meeting and reconvene at the earliest opportunity after the site inspection.

(Reference: Notice of Review and Supporting Documentation, comments from Interested Parties, and further comments from Applicant, submitted)