PLANS have been submitted for a partial change of use at a Rhu flat to form teaching facilities at a planned meditation centre.

Karen Davies has submitted the proposal to Argyll and Bute Council to use part of 3 Woodstone Court as a retreat centre for mindfulness and meditation teaching.

The proposed facility is described as “an exclusive retreat” and is planned to be led by some of the top spiritual teachers in the UK.

The plans are now available to be viewed in the council’s online planning portal and can be commented on by the public. A decision from the authority’s planning officers is expected by mid-December.

In a supporting statement, Ms Davies said: “The intention is to have small intimate groups where individual attention is possible. There will be weekly programmes with the occasional one-off classes too.

“Because of the calibre of the teachers we expect interest from foreign students as well as local students and they will be boarded in the surrounding hotels, with a morning pick-up service to the centre. There will also be time during the week courses when there will be time out in the surrounding area.

“There will be one teaching room and one for individual contemplation. The kitchen will have the facilities for self-service hot and cold drinks.

“It will also be used for day students to eat packed lunches. There is also a separate toilet. The other part of the flat will stay as residential.

“The hours will be 9.30am to 4.30pm, with the occasional evening use [from] 7pm to 9.30pm. We anticipate about 12-15 students.

“I cannot be more precise at the moment as we will not begin to put the programme together until we obtain planning permission.”

The plans can be viewed in the planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and using the reference number 22/01712/PP.