ARGYLL and Bute Council has refused retrospective planning permission for the siting of a storage container in Ardencaple Woods between Helensburgh and Rhu – more than 18 months after permission was sought.

A complaint over the siting of the metal container was first made to the council in February 2014, and this is the second time the applicant, Kate Hedges, has had an application for retrospective permission refused.

In her report on Ms Hedges' application, planning officer Morag Jardine says: “Within the Greenbelt encouragement will only be given to very limited and specific categories of countryside based development.

“Whilst forestry and outdoor recreation are greenbelt uses this large, single metal container is for the personal use of the applicant in relation to a small plantation with only occasional use in relation to her outdoor business, Blue Skies Earth Skills.

“It is considered that no specific locational need for a structure of this size has been established.

“The storage container itself, by virtue of its isolated siting, size and appearance, is considered to be detrimental to the open nature and character of the surrounding countryside.”