Parking worries over planned Lochinver Larder and Boathouse redevelopment
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Assynt Community Council has welcomed a plan to create a hospitality complex at Lochinver, but concern has been expressed over a lack of parking in the area.
The proposal to create Lochinver Larder and Boathouse – featured in a previous edition of the Northern Times – involves combining the existing Lochinver Larder on the Main Street with next door buildings Ardvar House and the Caberfeidh Pub.
The new visitor destination would offer a pub, restaurant, bistro, cafe, delicatessen counter and bakery as well as a micro-brewery and fish smokehouse. Behind the project are John and Sarah Snyder who bought Lochinver Larder in January last year having previously purchased the Caberfeidh Bar and Ardvar Cottage.
Assynt Community Council discussed the redevelopment, for which a planning application has been lodged, at its January online meeting. Members agreed that the new project should be seen as a "positive addition to the long-term future of the village in terms of local employment and increased tourism".
However concerns were raised at the pressure the new visitor centre would place on a nearby car parking area known as the Doctor's Car Park and sited opposite Assynt Health Centre.
It was stated that the car park, which serves existing businesses and services in the area, was already 'seriously' under capacity.
The minutes of the meeting state: "Many people rely on the car park when visiting the local shops and the health centre and on-road car parking outside the premises is not an option."
It was suggested that contractors working on the redevelopment could park elsewhere in the village and be bussed to the site.
Members suggested that Mr and Mrs Snyder or a representative be invited to make a statement outlining how the long-term problem of parking was going to be addressed.
In a comment to planners, Assynt Medical Centre practice manager Kenneth Kerr also expressed concern over parking, but also said: "We welcome and endorse any development in our community that is going to bring employment and exciting opportunity."
