Housebound holiday-makers have something to look forward to after plans for new self catering accommodation on Arran were approved.

Plans were submitted to build a new high quality self-catering accommodation at Lochside Guest House, in Blackwaterfoot.

The plans which would be a detached extension to existing the tourist accommodation business, were given the go ahead last week.

The plans state that the current owners and applicants Alan and Marion McNicol, who ran a plumbing business for years, now wish to concentrate on the tourist sector on a full time basis.

To expand the business, they applied to erect a separate three-four bedroom guest house for visitors.

The new house will one and a half storeys, with the accommodation comprising of two public rooms for the visitors use and four bedrooms.

Planning documents state: “The proposal would form part of and benefit an existing tourist destination in as much as in addition to the bed and breakfast part of the business.

“The proposed house would provide stand alone accommodation for parties up to a number of 10 persons.

“The proposed house will be built to a high standard of construction and sustainability utilising low carbon technologies.

“It has been designed with due regard to the siting, design, and local amenity that is required for a house in a rural location and will in the event of the termination of the tourist business seamlessly change into residential dwelling of high quality.”

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