New garden centre and craft beer bar to be built in Oban town centre

Plans for a garden centre and craft beer bar in Oban town centre have been approved by council chiefs.

The Garden Tap is set to install the facilities at the vacant site at 29 Lochside Street, with the bar having a roof terrace.

One objection had been received from the public, citing the opinion that the proposed development was “unbefitting of a community, especially one with aspirations for city status”.

But an Argyll and Bute Council planning officer responded that the planned buildings were acceptable and would improve the town centre.

The officer said in a handling report: “The garden centre aspect of the proposal is situated within the northernmost part of the site comprising an open area of ground with the application giving an indication of a possible layout for external storage etc.

“The finer details of the garden centre layout including storage etc will be sought by planning condition to ensure that it is visually acceptable.

“The proposed shop to serve the garden centre is situated to the south of the garden centre area comprising a modest, single storey flat roofed, modular container type structure sited gable end to the public road with access from both the north and south elevations.

“The craft beer bar is situated parallel to the public road which also comprises a single storey flat roofed, modular container type structure.

“The craft beer bar incorporates a set of external stairs to its southern elevation which lead to an external rooftop terrace which spans over both the craft bar beer and shop. The external terrace is to be enclosed by a stainless steel and glass balustrade.

“Given the commercial nature of the site within which the development is proposed it is considered that the modular buildings, with appropriate external treatment, are acceptable and will relate to their commercial surroundings whilst at the same time improving the appearance of this part of the main town centre.”

The officer added: “Notwithstanding the view of the Planning Service that the proposed development is acceptable, it is proposed to impose a condition limiting the permission to a temporary period of five years given the generally temporary nature of the structures proposed.

“[This] will allow the Planning Service to retain control of the site and any adverse visual impact that could arise should the development not be properly maintained.”