PLANS for a caravan park on Islay have been refused planning permission after council chiefs ruled it was against the character of the area.
Mansfield JG Ltd wanted to build the facility, along with a reception/laundry building and vehicular access, on land east of Dunollie at Port Ellen.
But three objections were registered to the application, citing concerns over antisocial behaviour and traffic issues.
Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have now issued a refusal, claiming the applicant had not demonstrated they had control of all the necessary land.
An officer said in a handling report: “This application for detailed planning permission seeks to change the use of the land to form a caravan site in the eastern area of the field.
“A total of six static caravans are proposed to be installed on site with decked areas and vehicular parking.
“A new vehicular access junction onto the U31 is proposed with widening works to the carriageway joining into the A846. A pedestrian pavement is proposed to be installed on the western side of the road to the A846.
“A further building is proposed to be erected at the site entrance to form the reception/ laundry building together with a retail facility. This comprises a mono-pitched, singly storey structure with painted, timber clad elevations and a corrugated sheet roof.
“The application looks to provide a small retail facility within the reception building. The location is therefore outwith the town centre of Port Ellen.
“Due to the scale of the retail space provided, it is unlikely to have any adverse impacts on the vitality of the existing town centre retail units within Port Ellen and a planning condition could ensure that the shops only serves the occupants of the tourist facility to which it is associated with.”
However, they then said: “The site the subject of this application is not considered to represent an appropriate opportunity for development as it would not respect the established character within this rural location due to the location of the development, the proposed permanent features and required engineering works which would appear at odds visually to the natural pattern of built form within the settlement and significantly alter this undeveloped site to the detriment of the established landscape character.
“In addition, the applicant has not demonstrated that they have control of all of the land required to facilitate the road works in the interests of road safety.
“There are a number of benefits associated with the proposed development, including the contribution it would make to existing communities in respect of economic benefits.
“However, these factors would not outweigh the conflict the proposed development would have with the development plan when taken as a whole.”
