Dornoch apartments plan turned down

Planners have rejected an application to build a block of eight apartments at Dornoch Retail Park.

Ewan MacLeod of Meadows Project Ltd, had hoped to develop an area of rough land sited opposite CoCo Salon and Spa.

But Dornoch Community Council strongly opposed the proposal on the grounds that the land was specifically zoned for business purposes in local development plans.

A decision notice lodged with the application on the Highland Council’s eplanning website states it had been turned down on three grounds.

Planners said it would introduce a residential land use into a site allocated and safeguarded for business use.

It had also not been demonstrated that surface water could be effectively managed in the site boundary and without increase to flood risk elsewhere.

And the application was judged to be contrary to the Planning Scotland Act in that it would introduce a residential development in close proximity to noise generating businesses.

Meanwhile, members expressed concern at last Wednesday’s virtual community council meeting that fly-tippers were turning the overgrown site into an eyesore.

Treasurer Jerry Bishop said the owner had an obligation to “secure his property and keep it clean” and if this was not happening then environmental health should be the next port of call.

Mr Bishop added that the site would be “fantastic” for a garage, workshop and car sales outlet.

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