The overall focus of the council’s planning service is on making things happen

At this week’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing committee meetings, members agreed to a number of planning applications which will support the needs of individuals while also supporting the wider community and aiding the economic growth of Argyll and Bute.

Yesterday’s decisions reflect the positive role of the planning service to enable sustainable development and the robust growth strategy inherent in the local development plan.

In Dunoon, the Fyne Homes application for 17 affordable houses on the former St Cuthbert Church site was approved, providing much needed affordable housing in a prominent gap site within the town centre

In Lochgilphead, the application for the erection of a new Harbro Country Store (a bulk retail and storage facility) and the associated renovation of the Clock Lodge at Kilmory was approved. This project will see the restoration of an unsightly vacant listed building, the protection of local jobs in construction and bulk retail and improvements to sales facilities for the local farming and equestrian community.

In Inveraray, a strategic masterplan was approved which will allow for the development of 150 housing units as well as business, tourism and community facilities on land to the west of Newton and to the north of Barn Park. The masterplan will provide an overall development framework which will ensure the sensitive and sustainable growth of this, one of Argyll’s most picturesque towns, over the next two decades.

Members also agreed to an application by the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) for 8 houses and 4 flats on land north of Barn Park. This aligns with the wider Inveraray masterplan and will see the development of much needed affordable housing

A masterplan was also approved for Strachur which will allow for the development of 24 houses – meeting the needs of the local community and helping to arrest the population decline in this part of the Cowal peninsula.

In the Sound of Islay, the council is supporting the installation of a 10megawatt (MW) demonstration tidal array, including cable landfall and sub-station south of Port Askaig.

This is an important project in the development of a means of exploiting tidal energy in Scotland.

At 10MW, this is a significant renewables project in its own right and will provide production-scale experience which will further the development of tidal energy, bringing sustainable economic benefits on the back of an as yet untapped renewables resource.

The council’s planning service is a source of advice and support; an enabling service focused on making things happen and a responsible service which works to balance the needs of communities with those of individuals.

Argyll and Bute Council’s planning officers are committed to working with communities, residents and the private sector for the economic benefit of Argyll and Bute.