AN international hotel group is planning a massive five-star resort on the site of Arrochar's derelict torpedo range.

Wyndham, who run major resorts worldwide, are planning a 130-bedroom hotel with 16 residential units, 36 apartments, a chandlery, a helipad, a 100 berth marina facility and a refurbished pier facility for the new Ben Arthur Resort complex.

The project is being developed by the Ben Arthur Development Company who are holding a public consultation event in Arrochar.

The new resort complex will be just a few hundred yards from another major hotel which is rising on the site of the old Ardgartan Youth Hostel and which is due to open on July 21.

The Ardgartan Hotel is being built by Gartocharn company Lochs and Glens Holidays who own a number of hotels including the Loch Long Hotel also in Arrochar.

News of the new Ben Arthur Resort has so far been welcomed by the community who see it as the latest in a number of developments bringing new life to the village.

Comments on the Ben Arthur Resort website include one from Liz Baillie who is campus manager of the Three Villages Hall and a local resident.

She wrote: "While the Torpedo Range was a very strong part of the local history, there can be no disagreement that it is now an eyesore and a blight on the landscape.

"Redevelopment of the site is a desirable objective and the quality of this proposal is encouraging. It will further enhance the regeneration of Arrochar.

"This will be a huge boost for the local economy and should be viewed in the context of other recent regeneration projects in the area."

Details of the proposal can be found on the website www.benarthurresort.com. The consultation will be held in the Three Villages Hall on April 18 from 2pm to 4pm.