Mobile snack van at Luss Car Park, Luss

What was proposed

The application sought permission to use two car-park spaces for a mobile snack van and its support vehicle.

“Local Place Plan .............................................................................................. Conclusions .................................................................................................... Minute of Agreement ........................................................................................ Appendix 1 Conditions ...........................................................................................”

“Proposed Development 3.2. The proposed development is the change of use of two parking spaces within Luss car park for the siting of a mobile snack van (ice cream van) and an associated support vehicle. The snack van is sited in the parking space identified and customers access the vendor’s window from the pavement area adjacent. The second parking space is used for a support vehicle. Planning History 3.4.”

Officer report

The site

The two spaces are beside Luss public toilets and an extended pavement, near established small food and retail outlets.

“Arden Community Council and Argyll and Bute Council Roads Authority have objected to the application. Recommendation 2.1. That Members: APPROVE the application subject to the imposition of the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report. Background Site Description 3.1. The application site includes two car parking spaces within Luss Car Park in Luss village. The parking spaces are the first two spaces adjacent to the public toilets and an area of extended pavement.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Roads Authority objected to permanent use of both spaces, while Environmental Health raised no objection subject to food, delivery and waste conditions.

“The Habitats Directive, implemented in Scotland through The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, provides protection to European sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs)). The planning authority must consider whether development will have a ‘likely significant effect’ on a European site, and if so, carry out an ‘appropriate assessment’ (AA). This process is known as Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA).”

“Argyll and Bute Council Environmental Health 5.3. Argyll and Bute Council Environmental Health have no objections to the granting of planning permission, subject to conditions regarding food and health, timings of deliveries and waste.”

Officer report

Objections from the community

The community council and 15 objectors raised concerns about appearance, existing businesses, parking, waste, obstructions, vehicle operation and overlapping queues.

“Luss and Arden Community Council 5.4. Luss and Arden Community Council object to the application for the following reasons: • Siting of the snack van is highly inappropriate for the location, with particular concerns about the proximity to the public toilet facilities which has resulted in long queues for food service outlets and toilets mixing together, raising concerns regarding public amenity, hygiene perception and overall visitor experience.”

“The following is a summary of the representations in objection: There are multiple establishments selling refreshments nearby Impacts on resident’s amenity The mobile snack van is an eye sore in the conservation village Waste from the mobile snack van has been emptied down the drain in the car park Street furniture is a safety hazard The mobile snack van is taking up car parking spaces The support vehicle has its engine running all day Queues for the public toilets and the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support, and a representative of Luss and Arden Community Council spoke against the application.

Members’ questions

Members questioned queues, alternative locations, company details, battery charging, the support vehicle, bollards, trial incidents and temporary permission.

“Questions from Members followed and focused on: - Merging queues for the snack van and toilets - Other locations in the car park where this could be situated - Applicants/Company name change - Charging of batteries to power the van - Use of the secondary vehicle - Designated parking spaces using bollards - Incidents occurred within the first year’s trial - Local Place Plan Jim Lough, on behalf of the applicant – Luss Ices Ltd - spoke in support of the application.”

“Further questions from Members followed and focused on: - Longevity of battery charge - Trading times - Competency of proposed amendments relating to temporary planning permission - Argyll & Bute (Roads Authority) car park permissions and preferences - If the applicant were to consider any other locations, there would need to be a new application - Specifics of what the committee are being asked to decide at this moment in time - Previous temporary application - Status of…”

Minutes

The vote

Members approved the application unanimously, voting individually on the proposal.

“DECISION: Members APPROVED the application by confirming one by one a unanimous vote subject to the imposition of the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report.”

Minutes