Owners of an A-listed castle have been given the green light to transform it into holiday accommodation – despite neighbours fearing it will be become a party pad.
Following a close vote last week, councillors on the planning committee approved plans for Dalmoak Castle in Dumbarton.
Lords Capital Scotland Ltd applied to West Dunbartonshire Council for permission to turn the listed building, off Renton Road, into a venue for events, functions and holiday lets.
The 14-bedroom mansion, which used to operate as Castle Glen Care and Nursing Home, will be modernised internally, while keeping its original features, and would be available for single let only, with up to 25 people at a time allowed to stay.
The mansion’s former stables are converted into private homes and are occupied by a number of families, who have objected, fearing the venture will impact their privacy and see the venue overrun by noisy, drunken guests.
Pleading with councillors, Ashley Williamson-Morton said: “Dalmoak is a residential area. It has never been tourist accommodation and it does not need to be. It doesn’t have the vast grounds to absorb guests coming to us on a regular basis.
“The committee is asked not to leave us in a vulnerable position of having 25 strangers in my back garden on a regular basis.”
Also speaking, Jackie Mullen said residents were concerned it would result in similar concerns at Invergare Castle in Rhu, where police were called out 23 times in 2019. She said: “Our privacy and ability to enjoy our amenity would be destroyed.”
The owner of nearby Dalmoak Farm has also objected, saying he is concerned over the impact any noise could have on his milking cows, as well as worries over driveway access for his business.
The castle has been vacant for seven years and previous plans for it to become a wedding venue collapsed in 2016.
Former Dalmoak resident Karen Griffin said she was “forced” to move from her home due to previous applications “having a negative impact” on her family.
She pleaded: “These are professional people and frontline workers who have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to preserve life. Please allow them to come home to their peaceful environment.”
Owners say they plan to implement a strict vetting procedure for guests.
Speaking at the meeting, the applicant’s agent Peter Richardson said: “The home has been vacant for seven years and it’s important to provide the A-listed building with a new future to safeguard the property with investment and upgrades to preserve it. The business model requires very minor alterations to deliver a high-quality development.
“Some elements of the castle are moving towards disrepair if not addressed in a timely manner.”
He said guests would be told not to congregate outdoors after 10pm and said the owners also planned to upgrade the access road.
An environmental health officer also told the meeting the audio levels on any sound systems would be capped to ensure they are inaudible to neighbours.
Councillors quizzed the agent on the plans, with the SNP’s Diane Docherty saying she wasn’t satisfied enough discussions had taken place with neighbours.
She said more information and moved an amendment calling on the application to be brought to a future meeting for further details, commenting: “I don’t think there’s enough clarification of some of the concerns of residents.
“I have concerns about the lack of input and discussions between both sides. We have to respect both points of view. There’s middle ground to be made here.”
However, Bailie Denis Agnew said there was enough mitigations in place to protect residential amenity, stressing the building must be preserved before it falls into disrepair.
He said: “It’s at danger if it’s left any longer and will deteriorate.
“Having an A-listed building in that area is challenging and I think the officers have gone to length to ensure they mitigate any adverse impact on the neighbours.”
Voting was split with three for the motion and three for the amendment but chair Jim Finn’s casting vote saw the plans approved.
