Huddersfield couple's plan to redevelop commercial site in Dornoch sparks flood risk fears

A COUPLE'S plans to redevelop a commercial site in Dornoch into a home for themselves as well as a holiday letting unit and workshop could be scuppered because of the risk of flooding at the location.

Charles and Caroline Keenan are seeking planning consent to redevelop the old Albert Lewis site on Shore Road, Dornoch. The site was used for many years as a joiner's yard and workshop.

It is accessed via a small footbridge over the Dornoch burn.

Mr Keenan, an IT consultant and Mrs Keenan, an interior designer have lodged an application with Highland Council to demolish existing buildings and build a two-bedroom house, holiday letting unit and workshop on the 670sqm site, located next to Dornoch Medical Practice.

In a letters to planners, the couple, from Kirkburton, Huddersfield, write: "We are looking to relocate and set up our permanent home in Dornoch. Through years of visiting the Highlands of Scoland we consider Dornoch and the immediate vicinity to be our spiritual home.... our proposed development gives us the opportunity to live and work within the Dornoch community."

However, their plans are being opposed by the council's flood management team who have lodged an objection, stating: "The Flood Risk Management team objects to the installation of holiday accommodation and domestic accommodation on the grounds of flood risk."

The Albert E Lewis site has been assessed as at "medium to high flood risk".

Neighbours have also lodged objections to the Keenans' proposals, expressing reservations about the size and number of the buildings proposed, and stating that the site was in danger of being overdeveloped.

One neighbour said the gable end of the planned new workshop would "significantly" block light into her bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and outdoor seating area.

However, operator of the site, Albert Lewis has written in support of the plans, stating: "I have been operating my business there for 47 years and in that time there has never been any flood risk at all."

Dornoch Community Council discussed the plan at its meeting last week when members decided to take a neutral stance – the council is a statutory consultee.

Treasurer Jerry Bishop said: "I don't believe they have a cat in hell's chance of getting this through, no matter how hard they try. There is no objection to it being developed for industrial use but they will not countenance residential development."

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