PLANNING permission in principle is being sought for a business to move into a Helensburgh site which has been earmarked for office space and a pub/restaurant.

Rhu-based businessman Malcolm Pearson’s plans for the Iona Stables site were given planning permission in principle by Argyll and Bute Council in April 2021.

The Scottish Government also said two months later that it would not intervene with the plans.

Now another application has been made, by Pearson Property Promotions Ltd, for an unidentified business to move into the site.

The council has received an application for a proposed class 4 business use for the site - class 4 being 'office/light industry' with associated access, landscaping and ancillary development.

No design statement has yet been published among the documents available so far on the council website.

However, among the documents which has been published is an ecological assessment, which has concluded there is no evidence or use of the land by badgers, bats or otters.

A flood risk assessment, compiled by Kaya Consulting Ltd, is another of the published documents, after concerns were raised following the 2021 application that the site could be liable to flooding.

The Kaya report says that the new application includes proposals to develop the site "with minimal land-raising" to minimise the potential impact on water levels in the area.

Documents and drawings relating to the plans can now be viewed, and comments submitted by members of the public.

A decision from the council’s planning officers is expected by September 21.

To view the plans and submit comments, click here and enter the reference number 22/01236/PPP.