Nearly 100 planning applications waiting for over a year for decision in Argyll and Bute

Nearly 100 planning applications are reported as having waited at least a year for a decision to be made by Argyll and Bute Council.

A planned development for 200 houses at a farm site outside Cardross is among those waiting to be ruled on by the authority.

Taylor Wimpey’s proposal for planning permission in principle for Geilston Farm was validated by the council on January 5, 2025.

Documents available with the planning application show that the council wrote to Taylor Wimpey in October asking for an extension to the determination period due to a consultee being unable to respond. It is asked that January 24, 2026 is the new date.

An application for planning permission for a new whisky distillery at Bowmore on Islay also remains listed by the council as awaiting decision, having been validated in November 2024.

Chivas Brothers Ltd and Islay Estates Ltd applied for permission for the facility on land at Gartbreck Farm.

The council also requested extensions to the statutory determination period for that application due to “ongoing discussions to resolve matters” with statutory consultees, with the most recent letter sent to the applicants in December.

The authority most recently requested that the consultation period was extended until January 30, 2026.

Plans for a residential development for distillery employees on land east of Port Ellen Primary School, on Islay, also remain undecided by the council.

The proposal by Elixir Distillers was validated in July 2023, but no documents have been published with the application since April 2024. It remains shown as awaiting decision on the council website.

A proposal to demolish a former primary school and schoolhouse on Oakfield Road in Ardrishaig, validated in March 2023, also remains unruled on.

A search of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning portal for applications awaiting decision, having been validated between January 1, 2000 and January 13, 2025, shows 94 applications.

However, some have been published with a handling report among the documents, and a date when a decision was made.

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “There are many factors that can influence the time it takes to process a planning application. Like other local authorities across the UK, we’re working hard to balance increasing legal requirements with limited resources, including a national shortage of qualified planners and reduced council budgets.

“Delays can sometimes occur if we need additional information from the applicant or third parties, or when we’re engaging in detailed discussions to address policy or community concerns.

“Every application is unique, and our priority is always to achieve the best possible outcome. This often means taking the time to resolve issues thoroughly rather than rushing a decision or refusing an application simply to meet a deadline.”