PROPOSALS for 29 new homes to be built along the banks of Loch Lomond between Luss and Arden look set to be given the go ahead.

Documents prepared for a meeting of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority's planning board reveal official recommendations for the eight separate applications to be approved.

The National Park's planning and access committee will meet in Balloch on Monday, October 28 to further consider the plans put forward by Luss Estates.

In an 'overarching report' published online, National Park planning officers state that "collectively, [the applications] form a package of proposals which aims to address some strategic development objectives for the West Loch Lomondside area".

The original plans, submitted in December 2016, include the proposed development of seven new homes across three areas in the hamlet of Muirlands, four homes at Arnburn, five at two sites in Porte O'Rossdhu, three in Aldochlay and a further 10 just south of Luss.

The report states that the three applications for Muirlands have been "the subject of a significant level of valid objection," as reported by the Advertiser in October 2018.

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Luss and Arden Community Council formally objected to the Muirlands plans on the grounds of elevated road safety risks on the B832 through the hamlet, while more than 100 representations were received in response to the plans.

If the proposals are given the green light, just six of the 29 new homes will be affordable houses, far fewer than the 50 per cent requirement detailed in the area's local development plan.

However, the report says: "The proposed 23 open market houses and six affordable houses is approximately an 80 per cent/20 per cent market to affordable housing ratio which falls short of the requisite 50 per cent.

"However the applicant has advanced a case that the overall package of proposals achieves close to a 50 per cent balance in ‘equivalent’ provision through investment in community infrastructure (village green) and the provision of land with finance. This approach is now considered."

Luss Estates granted land to Link Housing Group for the development of five affordable houses in Luss, which, the report states, should be credited against the requirement, while the provision and maintenance of the new village green also brings the ratio closer to the benchmark figure.

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The report acknowledges concerns from residents that some of the new homes may be purchased as "second homes or holiday/retirement homes and not by local families employed in the area who would contribute to maintaining the local school roles".

But it adds: "This proposal would directly address the lack of family-sized homes within the West Loch Lomondside area by seeking to make available 23 new, three bedroomed homes for open market sale.

"These would be large enough for families but in the ‘mid-market’ rather than ‘executive’ category so as to remain accessible to working families on median incomes.

"Additionally the construction of the housing could provide local employment opportunities.

"There would be some additional spending in the local economy arising from the new housing making a positive contribution to supporting existing and future shops, community services and facilities locally."