Planning permission given to transform Blairvadach House near Helensburgh into apartments

Plans for eight new apartments to be built at a former council office outside Helensburgh have been granted planning permission.

Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have been approved to the application for Blairvadach House, at Shandon, by Callum Williamson Ltd.

No objections to the proposal were received from statutory consultees, and no members of the public contacted the council with any comments.

The facility has lain empty since 2015, when the council moved into the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

A council planning officer said in a handling report: “The proposal to demolish the extensions is supported as the extensions are non-original and the removal of these is welcomed as this would help to bring back the building to its original form.

“The proposed change of use from office to eight residential apartments is welcomed as it brings back into use a vacant historical building on a prominent site which has fallen into disrepair.

“It is further noted that the amount of proposed units; eight in total (five flats and three duplexes) is not considered to constitute as over-development of the property and respects the original internal form of the historical building.

“The floor plan and key rooms of the original historical building have been respected in the proposed internal layout.”

The plans will see three apartments on the ground floor, two apartments on a mezzanine level and three apartments on the first and second floor. Sizes range from one to three bedrooms.

The officer added: “I feel that the proposed change of use and proposed alterations to convert the existing property are sympathetic and viable solution to the safeguarding of this prominent listed property.

“I feel that the number of proposed residential units is acceptable and is not considered to be over development.

“Furthermore, the proposed alterations to the external doors, internal doors, fireplaces, cornices and stonework is considered to be in keeping with the existing building and successfully ties in and enhances the character of the existing listed building.”