Arrochar Hotel gets green light for new homes, tourism and retail

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority has approved a 'planning permission in principle' (PPP) application for a 1.5 hectare development on a site between the A814 and A83 in the village, south of the Arrochar Hotel.

The application - submitted by Bespoke Hotels Ltd, owners of the Arrochar Hotel - is a renewal of plans first proposed and approved in 2019.

A further application for detailed permission will have to be submitted, and approved, before any work can begin at the site.

Under the proposals, former football pitches at the sloping site will be transformed into a 'mixed use' development for tourism, community use, a local visitor centre, civic space and housing.

The park authority says plans "broadly reflects" the desires set out by local residents in a community charrette plan dating back to 2013, with some changes, such as more housing.

Bespoke Hotels Ltd also own other venues around Scotland, including Stonefield Hotel near Tarbert, Loch Fyne, the Gairloch Hotel, and the Glenburn Hotel in Rothesay.

Only one representation was received to the plans - asking for more information about the housing aspect.

READ MORE: Arrochar Hotel proposes new homes, tourism and retail

The park authority concluded: "The proposed layout in the current planning application is identical to those historic permissions and continues to provide for proposed visitor centre and community facilities/civic upgrades which are viewed as integral to the development of the site "As with the previous applications the proposed housing would not be supported in the absence of the visitor and community facilities.

"Subject to agreeing the appropriate phasing of the development, the proposed mix of uses comprising visitor centre, tourism civic/community uses alongside housing is acceptable in principle.

Overall the proposed mix and arrangement of uses is appropriate to the site and the proposal accords with the intent of the allocation in both Local Development Plan and the Community Charrette Report.

"This is a development proposal that would create a new hub for visitors and the community as envisaged by the Local Plan."

The existing access onto the A814 would need to be widened, park authority planners said.

According to a report on the handling of the application, Argyll and Bute Council's roads department did not respond when asked for a view on the proposals.

Planing officials say there will need to be an achaeological assessment at the site in due course, as well as a bat protection plan.

At least 25 per cent of the housing built must be affordable.

Opfer Logan Architects, in Glasgow, have put the plans forward on behalf of Frixos Kyriacou of Pearlkal Property Investments Ltd, which owns Bespoke Hotels.

The planners' report says discussions have taken place between the applicants and National Park officials since the previous PPP application was approved four years ago.

The plans include mixed housing, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom detached houses.

There is mixed-use retail, tourism and civic space, bordered by the new community centre, and retail, craft and holiday accommodation.

Community green space is on the map along with an area to de developed by the local Community Development Trust, which the plan states "could take the form of a community centre linking into the existing community hall and retail/tourism buildings".

The existing staff accommodation at the hotel, and sub-station could be refurbished, state the plan, and redeveloped for a later project.

There would be landscaping on the hillside to act as a buffer between the A83 and the proposed site.

The area immediately south of the site is protected by a 'tree protection zone', and a 'no build zone' is mapped out to protect the trees and their root systems.

There would further be "enhanced pedestrian routes and links" across the site.

The application, along with the National Park's report and other associated documents, can be viewed online at the planning portal on the National Park's website at lochlomond-trossachs.org.