Planning Changes in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

We frequently take holidays in the Loch Goil area and feel that allowing a development such as this to proceed would be detrimental to the area and a severe impingement on the natural beauty of the park. I ask you to refer back to your notes and to review this situation again.

The whole situation would be laughable,if the effect of this development on the community was not so serious. It is incomprehensible that a public body paid for by our taxes is so unaccountable for its actions

Generally I disagree with wealthy landowners owning huge tracts of our country, absentee landlords makes it doubly worse.

Anonymous So many sweeping statements with no tangible evidence to back them up. The parks have a moral if not legal obligation according to it's literature to consult with local communities but this has never been the case. Planning guide lines say that it is advisable to consult with local communities so as to come to an amicable agreement. We had to instigate this meeting, and a greater disregard for the people of Carrick Castle could not have been more obvious, Carrick Castle papers to the planning committee were withheld with no reason given, late papers from the applicant seem to slip through unimpeded. Democracy is not perfect, but it is there so that the public in general can have a voice. This, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park seem to flaunt it with impunity. Add to all of this the slips of the tongue which happened during the final meeting (as far the Park was concerned) which made it obvious that the decision had already been taken, and so there was no need to take a vote. Can you imagine if a government department was run like this? the law would be down like a ton of bricks. Public money is our money so we should have a say as to how it is spent and public bodies should be accountable to the people. That means the people of Carrick Castle

Please don't let this planning application go ahead

Please save one of the most beautiful places in Argyll and don't turn it into an eyesore

This case must be reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice as it is a clear case of Social Injustice....take a look at the facts... * Original planning proposal designed by ex National Park Planning Officer *Original landowner faced the choice of having a large barn placed right by his brand new home entirely blocking views, or selling the land to the applicant and accepting this development. *Applicant changed entire rationale upon which supporting policies were based before the application was assessed. No rationale given, no questions asked. *Iteration after iteration of the application were submitted - with no pro-active support for the community allowing them to clearly understand the implications. *Area representative on planning and access committee recommended Community turned to Planning Charity for assistance, but failed to mention that Chairman of Planning Committee and Chief Exec of Planning Charity are one and the same - no heads-up on this conflict of interests. *Community had to insist on a meeting with the applicant. Planners then used the minutes from this meeting as evidence in favour of the applicant. *Applicant was allowed to submit a detailed document without question two weeks before committee meeting; the Community’s response was repeatedly declared late and mis-represented in both a presentation and documentation *Planners used the applicant’s documentation to support their policies, however when issues with the documentation were highlighted by the Community and their Community Council, the planner’s hid behind planning jargon. *The Vice-Chairman admitted that the Park does not want the monetary impact of an appeal – opening up the Park’s planning process to future financial coercion.

This seems like the wrong decision to me. There is no benefit to the local community, only detriment to it and to the currently unspoiled countryside. I don't understand why this has been approved and would urge that this is reconsidered.

I genuinely don't understand why the Planning Department has consistently supported this application, and has now approved it. The various amendments to the application really didn't make clear what the proposed development is for - originally supposedly for forestry, but now seemingly focused on deer-stalking. Conversely, a variety of considered, well-researched objections have apparently been dismissed. I would really like to hear someone senior in the National Park explain their rationale, and how this decision can possibly be in line with their remit to "safeguard an area of outstanding and diverse landscapes, habitats and communities, parts of which were coming under severe visitor and recreational pressures”.

Part of my reason for moving to Carrick was the wildlife especially the deer, which used to come up to my garden. This year due to the culling(murder of pregnant deer and stags) which is totally unjustified had 'Deer Fences' been erected as was originally stated would happen, I have seen NO DEER. The Park has totally disregarded the WILL of the residents. Due to the number of properties on the market at this time, there is NO NEED for any other buildings to be erected,

This proposed development serves no useful purpose whatsoever. But its impact will be immeasurably detrimental - forever - on the environment it is our duty to protect and transmit into the safekeeping of future generations.

The wishes of the community appear to have been ignored in the granting of this application.

An appalling decision, which has totally ignored the voice and desires of the local community.

A big Why? For what benefit? Appalling to see such beauty blighted by this. Detrimental for ever. A blot on the landscape.

This lodge will attract those who like to hunt for pleasure. Please protect our habit and animals and leave Carrick area free and wild in its natural beauty, as nature intended. Please block this proposal.

chairman told the committee that planning could not afford appeal, and directed them not to reject application. This makes a mockery of the whole planning system

A very bad decision for the community. The existing village boundaries ignored and overridden. The voice of the community totally ignored.

A hunting lodge will not benifit the local community, will have a detrimental impact on the local wildlife and will pose risks to walkers who regularly use the hills behind Carrick.

I do not believe that this lodge is beneficial for the local community or likely to aid tourism to the area.

The residents of Carrick Castle have not been taken into consideration when this planning application was passed. This has been very short sighted of the planning committee, they will spoil the beauty of this charming place and change the face of it for ever.... Bad decision