Change of use plans for coffee roasting unit met with objection
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Plans to turn a former computer shop in Golspie into a coffee roasting unit have been met with objections.
Tony Bowes of the Coffee Bothy in Golspie is seeking planning consent to turn 93 Main Street, formerly a computer shop, into a coffee roasting and retail unit.
The Coffee Bothy currently operates out of premises in Fountain Road.
A change of use application for the building on Main Street, which for many years was home to Kirkland Computers, is now under consideration with Highland Council.
But the proposal has been met with objections relating to concerns that coffee roasting processes will take place in a residential area.
Beachview, a property used for holiday lets adjacent to the Kirkland building, is owned by Sheila Robertson.
She has objected to the proposal, raising concerns over gas storage limits. In a public comment, she stated: “There is no mention in the plan of gas storage and usage for the roasting process.
“It is my understanding from flogas.co.uk that if the premises is below a residential property, there is a limit on the gas stored/displayed unless firewalls exist. I feel this is a major omission from the plan and the associated fire risk a major concern.”
She also raised concern that the plans contain no information on how the applicant will satisfy fire regulations, and that the proposed method of commercial refuse disposal seemed “unusual”.
Ms Robertson added: “Having these concerns I have been party to information from an existing coffee roasting business in the Highland area who carry out this aspect of their business in an industrial area rather than residential.”
Robert Nicol has also commented publicly on the application, stating: “We are concerned that what is proposed is classed as a light industrial or commercial process and will be taking place directly below our flat.
“What fire precautions are to be implemented to safeguard our property and personal safety in the event of a fire?”
A response from environmental health officer Philip Dent on December 19 states: “There are concerns that the coffee roasting process may generate odour complaints due to its proximity to other properties and dwellings”.
Mr Dent has requested that Mr Bowes submit details of “mitigation being implemented against excessive odour or demonstrate that the process will not likely cause nuisance.”
The Northern Times has contacted Mr Bowes for comment.
