End of the road for South Bonar motorhome stopover as Scottish Government rejects plan over flooding fears

Fears over the risk of flooding have finally scuppered a project to establish a serviced motorhome stopover site at South Bonar - on the outskirts of Bonar Bridge.

The Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT) was keen to develop a site on an area of land at South Bonar on which there is an existing public toilet block and which has been used for free camping for many years.

Significant funding was sourced with a £170,000 grant from the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and a £71,678 cash injection from the Highland Coastal Communities Fund.

Highland Council, which owns the land, agreed to transfer it to the community for just £1.

KoSDT’s intention was to provide electric hook-up points for motorhomes and campervans with showers and a covered eating area as well as waste disposal areas.

Motorhome and campervan drivers would have been charged for access to the site.

But the Scottish Environment Protection Agency put a spoke in the wheel when it objected to the proposal on the grounds the site was at risk of a one in a 1000 year flood – it is close to both the Dornoch Firth and the River Carron.

SEPA felt that the potential frequency and severity of flooding on the site was likely to increase over time as a result of climate change.

Due to its objection the trust’s planning application was referred to the Scottish Government for its consideration.

And in a report made public last week, it rejected the development, stating that it was in “potential conflict with national policy on flood risk”. It was also felt that the "potential adverse impacts on people and property arising from the effects of flooding significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits of the proposal”.

KoSDT manager David Watson said: “KoSDT staff have worked exceptionally hard to try and develop this site as it has been used for overnight parking for years, much to the frustration of the local community....Unfortunately as a result of this decision, the development will not progress.

"The grant money that was secured will be re-allocated and the asset transfer of the site and facilities will not now be pursued.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.