Eight members of Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee gave the green light to plans for an L-shaped block of six flats, across two and a half storeys, at a hearing in Rothesay on Monday.

The hearing was called after 28 people raised concerns that the proposed development by local firm George Hanson (Building Contractors) Ltd, who acquired the site from the Church of Scotland after the completion of the United Church of Bute's new church centre in High Street, would detract from the impact of Rothesay's outstanding conservation area.

But after hearing both sides of the argument, the councillors decided that the development - which will retain the church tower, left standing after the original St Brendan's Church building was destroyed by fire in 1973 - would enhance the appearance of the conservation zone.

Speaking in support of the application, which also includes demolition of the existing single-storey building on the site, architect Douglas Fotheringham told the meeting at the Discovery Theatre: "The question for us is, do we do nothing with the site or do we do something?
"If we want to keep the tower we've got to come up with a building which complements it, enhances it and is in keeping with the local environment.

"I think the tower is well worth keeping, and could be a marvellous feature on the seafront if illuminated by floodlighting.

"George Hanson is a local man, and what he is proposing to do is responsible, entirely in accordance with planning policy and well worthy of being granted planning permission."

The case against the proposal was led by Charlie Soane, who lives in Crichton Road, near the rear of the St Brendan's Church site, and who said he believed the plans were inappropriate for the site.

"No-one can criticise George Hanson for wanting to maximise the potential of the site," Mr Soane said.

"But as far as I understand planning legislation, planning permission should normally be refused for a development or demolition within an outstanding conservation area which fails to protect or enhance the appearance of the area.

"The height of the proposed building will detract from the buildings in Elysium Terrace and Royal Terrace, and I think many objectors would be prepared to sacrifice the church tower if the rest of the site was to be utilised in a better manner."

But more than one member of the committee questioned how the objectors could on one hand express concern about conservation, and on the other say they would be happy with the demolition of the church tower.
"We do not feel that the proposed building is appropriate to the site," Mr Soane said. "It is too big, it is too close to other properties, and it would be a choice between retaining the tower and having a better-placed property that might be able to blend better into the site."

Although several members of the committee said they had sympathy with some of the concerns - particularly from neighbours whose views and access to daylight would be affected by the building - the decision to approve the application was unanimous.

After the hearing concluded, George Hanson told us he planned to press ahead with development of the site as soon as possible.