PLANS to build a major new extension at Cameron House Hotel, including 70 new bedrooms, have been unveiled.

A large ballroom facing Loch Lomond is also part of the proposals, which have been submitted to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority by Lichfields planning consultancy.

A design statement  by architects 3D Reid in support of the application states that the extension plans had been in the pipeline prior to the tragic blaze in December 2017 which claimed the lives of guests Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson.

The hotel was given permission to carry out restoration work in January, more than a year after the fire.

The statement says: “During the latter half of 2017, we worked closely with the hotel’s owners and operators to determine the most appropriate method by which to extend the hotel, whether it be via a separate building, numerous extensions, or part demolition and relocation.

“With the concept design progressing, we met with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority during December 2017, taking on board their comments with the aim of further developing the proposal.

“A few weeks later, on the morning of December 18, 2017, a fire devastated the main building of the hotel, closing the hotel in its entirety.

“The focus was understandably shifted from the proposed extensions to the reinstatement works, with a design team immediately appointed with the aim of reopening the hotel at the earliest opportunity.

“As the reinstatement proposals progressed and the building itself was made safe, the extension proposal was revisited, and with a few amendments made, it was decided to develop the proposal while the reinstatement was ongoing.

“Now fully developed, the proposal provides an additional 70 bedrooms, as well as a 350 person loch-facing ballroom, to the north of the hotel, adjoining the existing leisure wing.

“The bedrooms are formed over the upper floors, with the second floor rooms incorporating dormer terraces which allow them to be set back into the roof space.

“The ballroom and associated function areas are situated at lower ground floor, with direct access onto large external terrace spaces, allowing for events and functions to spill out on to the surrounding lawns and providing spectacular views towards the loch.”

The statement added that the additional bedrooms were a result of high demand and will increase room nights by 40 per cent within three years.

It is also estimated that the new ballroom will allow for a 50 per cent increase in weddings at the venue within the same period.

The architects’ statement said: “The ballroom was a key desire of the hotel due to its lack of loch-facing function accommodation. The existing function suites are to the rear of the hotel, with limited views to the woodland beyond.

“The extension has been designed in such a way as to maximise views of the loch whilst achieving minimal disruption to the existing hotel facilities, and the team have liaised with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority throughout.

“The design has been developed and informed through such discussions, allowing the team to test and revise our proposals prior to this application being submitted.

“The final proposal is a contemporary building with a form and materiality that does not detract from the historically significant main building to the south.

“We believe that the proposals should be considered favourably in determining the associated planning and listed building consent applications.”

A decision on the proposals is expected from the National Park Authority by Monday, April 22.

The plans can be viewed at the National Park Authority’s online planning portal under codes 2019/0061/LBC and 2019/0062/DET.