PLANNERS have refused permission for a containerised food servery/take away outlet at the layby on the A78 at Inverkip.
The outlet was to have been on vacant ground beside the toilets. It would have been open from 7am to 7pm in summer and from 9am to 5pm in the winter.
But Inverclyde Council officials have rejected the proposal. Their decision report states: “The proposal is considered to have an unacceptable impact on the green belt and would be incompatible with the surrounding area in terms of the nature and scale of the activity.
“The visual impact of siting a refurbished shipping container will introduce materials which are industrial in nature and would form an unexpected development within the green belt.
“The proposal does not reflect local architecture or materials and would have a detrimental impact on the landscape character and setting of the area.”
The applicant can appeal against the decision.
A statement submitted with the application explained: “The lay-by and surrounding area is becoming a healthy outdoors sports activity hub for various leisure and recreation groups.
“The addition of a small food and drinks outlet therefore has the potential to act as a focal point to support these groups, encouraging water sports on the beach and also walkers, joggers and cyclists.”
It continued: “The design objectives are to achieve a fully self-contained outlet in a sustainable way which is as unobtrusive and contemporary as possible.”
