The Scottish Government

Name

Gordon Watson

Job title

Organisation

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority

Address

National Park Headquarters, The Old Station, Balloch, G83 8BF

Telephone

01389 722603

Fax

01389 722633

Email

gordon.watson@lochlomond-trossachs.org

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

Title of entry

The Carrick Golf Resort Development, Midross, Loch Lomond

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

The principle elements of the proposed development were:-

• the formation of an 18 hole golf course,

• the erection of 28 holiday apartments within two mansion blocks and subordinate wings,

• the erection of 64 detached holiday lodges,

• the erection of a clubhouse/leisure complex,

• the erection of a jetty to provide for water transport

• the creation of lagoons, and

• the formation of a public footpath /cycle path through the site

• the creation of a nature reserve comprising a number of lagoons.

This application site comprised approximately 260 acres of land lying between the A82 and Loch Lomondside. The development involved a projected £48million project budget, the creation of an estimated 255 jobs, 34 indirect jobs and an increase of £4.5million visitor expenditure per annum.

The central part of the application was the subject of extensive sand and gravel operations in the past, with the presence of the lagoons and surrounding despoiled land. Historically there had been a succession of tourist development proposals. During the 1980's various proposals for golf course, hotel, timeshare and marina developments were put forward culminating in outline planning permission for the erection of a hotel, golf course, and chalet development in 2001 prior to National Park designation . The National Park Authority had to consider the Carrick proposal in the context of this planning history and seek to achieve the highest standard and most sustainable form of development to regenerate this prominent and sensitive area of Loch Lomondside. A detailed planning application was received a matter of months following the establishment of the National Park Authority and significant negotiations were then required to raise the standard of development particularly in the areas of landscape design, integrated site management and siting and design of buildings. The proposal also provided the opportunity to demonstrate how such a development could be made more sustainable and support all four of the National Park's statutory aims.

In the handling of the application and the negotiation of significant improvements the following were major considerations;

• the integration of this scale of development and landscape change into the sensitive National Scenic Area landscape setting;

• securing a previously unknown archaeological resource, through trial trenching, excavation after approval, post excavation analysis and public information/education;

• comprehensive woodland protection and enhancement;

• achieving a high standard of building design and appropriate palate of materials;

• protecting protected species, such as otters and bats;

• improving public access provision through provision of a public footpath/cycleway which integrates with the West Loch Lomond cycle route;

• ensuring the sustainable management of the site including a sustainability action plan

• developing a lighting strategy to minimize light pollution on Loch Lomondside

• protecting existing wildlife species present and delivering long term management for a newly established nature reserve

The application was presented in early 2003 and was reported to Committee initially in November 2003. Following further negotiations and the conclusion of a legal agreement an approval notice was issued in May 2004. The golf course, spa/leisure building and first phase mansion house and lodges and public cycleway were complete and operational during 2007

The negotiation involved a very significant multidisciplinary effort which was managed and co-ordinated by the planning team. There was a significant input from landscape, ecology and archaeological professionals as well as from the legal team to ensure that a wide range of heritage and design matters were properly addressed. A comprehensive set of archeological obligations were negotiated which led to unprecedented finds which have led to new thinking about the history of settlement on Loch Lomondside. A full assessment of landscape character and development of a landscape and woodland management strategy to guide the design of the site was secured. Similarly a nature conservation management plan ensured that important wildlife species and habitats were safeguarded and enhanced habitats and networks delivered. The Golf Environment Group's involvement in ensuring that the specification of grass types maintained the landscape character and that future grounds management did not involve use of inappropriate chemicals and pesticides. The Authority had to ensure proper compliance with all conditions and specifications and a specific monitoring database was set up and managed by the Enforcement staff to ensure that standards were being met. This did lead to enforcement issues being identified and dealt with in early course.

As the site lay within an NSA, SNH had a significant involvement in the process. West of Scotland Archaeological Service provided significant input to overseeing the very extensive archaeological investigations and analysis which was undertaken by GUARD. The Golf Environment Group were able to provide expertise on sensitive golf course design, specification and management.

A high quality golf resort development which exhibits a high standard of building design, both contemporary and traditional, is well integrated into a sensitive landscape, has safeguarded and improved natural habitats and which is accessible to the public. The development has provided a significant economic benefit to the area and improved the quality of Loch Lomond as a visitor destination and its contribution to the overall tourist economy. As well as a high quality development, the sensitive management of the site has been secured into the future through a legally binding integrated management plan. Through the imposition of comprehensive archeological obligations significant remains were discovered consisting of Neolithic or Bronze Age settlement, an early Christian cemetery with possible Viking or Norse connections.

The handling of this proposal involved considerable professionalism and innovation by the Park Authority to secure multiple benefits from this development which regenerated a despoiled area of Loch Lomondside. The complexity of planning issues and the need to co-ordinate the input of a wide range of professional disciplines highlighted how planning professionals can play a key role in balancing sometimes competing issues, find solutions and secure a comprehensive package of improvements to a scheme which has been realized on the ground. Innovation was involved in working with the applicants' team to secure a well considered approach to landscape issues which then guided detailed prescriptions on the ground, an appropriate design and palate of different building materials and hard landscaping treatments across the site, the development of integrated management plans which ensure that all matters are considered together in relation to the future management of the site.

29th August 2007