Fresh plans have been lodged to create three new businesses on the site of Aberfoyle’s former Co-op store.
Earlier this year Sava Estates submitted a Change of Use application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners for the building in Main Street.
This sought to subdivide the existing retail unit into a shop, office premises and a hot food takeaway, plus erect flues to the rear and alter a shopfront to create an extra entrance.
This application, however, has since been withdrawn and a new application has now been lodged by the developers.
Agents for the developers told planners the withdrawal was made “in light of recent discussions and the views expressed by the community council” and that the fresh application took on board the concerns of locals.
The new application still seeks to subdivide the building into three units - a shop, class 2 office and a class three restaurant.
In documents submitted with the new bid, the agents said that the property, which has been vacant for some time, is a single storey with flat roof on a prime location on Aberfoyle’s main street.
They added: “The applicants did consider other development options such as constructing residential units, but these were not financially viable given the current market conditions and the cost of materials which are prohibitively high.
“The proposed development involves the subdivision of this large unit into three smaller units, comprising a restaurant, a retail unit and office premises. The building is currently accessed via two entrances, a double door on the left hand side of the front elevation and a single door at the other end of the elevation. To accommodate the sub-division a third door will be introduced at the centre of the front elevation.
“The proposed restaurant premises, which will occupy the most western unit (the right hand unit as viewed from the front) away from any nearby residential, will be vented by way of an industry standard extraction system....such that it cannot be viewed from the street.
“The selected new uses will ensure an active frontage and will help to animate the street, which is important in such a high profile site.
“It is anticipated that the opening hours for the restaurant will be Sunday to Thursday 10am-11pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10am until midnight.
“The retail shop will operate between 7.30am and 10pm seven days a week and the office will operate 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.
“The proposed development will see the reuse of a vacant building, which if left vacant would be a detriment and disamenity to the local area. The new uses will contribute to the overall town experience and to the range of services and facilities available to resident and visitor alike.
“In particular the restaurant and retail unit will animate the space through increased activity and in the evenings the splay of light from the windows will illuminate the footpath contributing to the sense of safety and security so essential in creating a sense of wellbeing.”
Park planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.
