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Frequently asked questions

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about the proposed development at West Riverside, Balloch.

Where can I see the plans and supporting information?

You can view the application online via our e-planning portal (ref 2018/0133/PPP).  A hard copy of the application is also available for members of the public to view in person in the foyer of our headquarters.

What is the application for?

The application is for Planning Permission in Principle (PPP). The application includes proposals for:

  • Holiday Lodge Accommodation
  • A Hotel
  • Bunkhouse Accommodation
  • Housing
  • Leisure and Recreational Facilities (including swimming pool, water park, forest adventure rides and tree-top walkway);
  • Education and Visitor Interpretation Facilities
  • Hot Food Café/Restaurant Uses
  • Brewery
  • Transport Infrastructure (including mono-rail)
  • New Footpaths and Cycleways
  • Public Realm Enhancements
  • Site Development Infrastructure (including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), car parking and access)
  •  Works to Listed Building (retention of façade of Woodbank House and conversion of existing outbuildings)
  • Boathouse for storage/water based recreation

What is a Planning Permission in Principle application?

An application for Planning Permission in Principle seeks agreement “in principle” that the proposed development is acceptable. It does not require the applicant to submit full details of the proposal such as the siting and design of buildings. If the Planning Permission in Principle application is approved then a further application/applications for approval of the detail of the proposal will be required. These application(s) would follow a similar process with neighbour notification, publicity and a formal consultation period being required.

How can I comment on the application?

There are three ways to make comments:

  • Comment via our e-planning portal using the ‘Submit Comments’ tab;
  • Email us on planning@lochlomond-trossachs.org ; or
  • Write a letter and send it to our National Park Headquarters. Please include an e-mail address if you have one. Unless we hear from you to the contrary, all further communication will be electronic as this will help us to reduce our environmental impact.

Once your comments have been viewed by the Planning Officer they will then be published on our e-planning portal. This may take a few days. Please be aware that your comments will be published, along with your name, and will be available for inspection and to be copied by any interested party.

We anticipate a high level of interest about the application and unfortunately it will be unlikely we will be able  to respond individually in writing to specific questions during the consultation period but all comments will be taken into account as part of the decision making process.

How will the National Park Authority make a decision on the application?

Once the application is registered, it is assigned to a case officer in our planning team. From this point, we have four months (unless an extension of time is agreed) to consider an application of this scale.

Our planning officer will review and take account of the pre-application consultation report as well as comments on the application and advice received from consultees, such as the local roads authority. We will also assess the application against the planning policies and guidance set out in our Local Development Plan.

Due to its scale, this planning application is classed as a ‘major development’. Major developments follow a different planning process to smaller planning applications. You can find a step by step overview of this process in our ‘Major developments explained’ blog. This application is currently at Step 3 in the process.

The Director of Rural Development and Planning will then make a recommendation to our Board members. The Authority’s Board  will then make a decision on the application at a meeting held in public on Tuesday 24th September at Alexandria Parish Church.

When will a decision be made about the Planning application?

The Pre-determination Hearing and Meeting to determine the proposed development will take place at Alexandria Parish Church on Tuesday 24th September 2019. To allow National Park Board Members to gain a greater understanding of the application, a Site Visit will also take place on Monday 23rd September.

Can members of the public attend the meeting where a decision will be made about the application?

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Pre-determination Hearing and Board meeting to listen and watch as the application is discussed.  As this is a meeting in public but not a public meeting only members of the public detailed on the speaker list for the Pre-determination Hearing are able to speak.

How can I register to speak at the meeting where a decision will be made about the application?

Should you have made a written representation for the planning application, you will be notified of the Pre-determination Hearing and Meeting and provided with a speaker participation form. Where there are large numbers of speakers who are raising the same issues, it is at our discretion to ask one person to speak on behalf of a group rather than allowing each individual to address Board Members individually.

 

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