Unpopular office conversion plan recommended for approval
AN UNPOPULAR plan to convert the former Highland Council offices on Golspie’s Main Street into seven flats which would lead to the loss of public car parking spaces, has been earmarked for approval.
The development, proposed by Dutch couple Jan and Elise Smienk, Big Barns Cottage, Golspie, has won the support of North planning officers who are recommending it be approved.
Some 22 individual objections have been lodged along with a 67 signature petition. Golspie Community Council has also registered its disapproval.
Members of the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications Committee are due to decide on the application at their meeting in the Duthac Centre, Tain, next Tuesday.
The Smienks moved to the area four years ago after selling a plumbing and central heating business in the Netherlands.
They hope to turn the offices, which were vacated three years ago when staff were transferred to the Highland Council’s new headquarters at Drummuie, outside Golspie, into four one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats.
The substantial seaside property is situated at the north end of the village, next to the Post Office.
The conversion would mean that the ten car parking spaces, including one disabled bay, on an access road running directly beside the building and leading from the A9 to the waterfront promenade, would no longer be in public use.
The loss of the car parking has been a major bone of contention for local residents, but they are also concerned about a number of other issues including the access from the trunk road, over development, the likely unsightly proliferation from the flats of satellite dishes and the lack of amenity space for the flat dwellers.
However in a report prepared for councillors, planning officer Simon Hindson put his colours firmly behind the plan, claiming it would be beneficial to the village.
He states: "The re-use of the existing building will have a positive effect on the village as a whole by providing affordable accommodation. There is a recognised need and demand for affordable housing across Highlands, but specifically in the smaller communities where there are limited opportunities to deliver this. This proposal offers a significant opportunity to help meet this need."
Regarding the car park specifically, he stats: "The car park at present is a private car park but was available for use by the public because of the former use of the building as council offices. But, conceivably it could have been restricted."
PLANNERS are also recommending approval of a proposal by retired Embo farmer John Mackintosh to build three new homes at Achinchanter, on the outskirts of Dornoch.
The new properties would be built on a site to the north west of the existing three homes at Achinchanter. A new access road is proposed.
Two objections have been lodged, from James and Ann Munro of Whin Cottage, Achinchanter, and from David Williams of 11 Front Street, Embo.
They are concerned that the new build would impact on the existing outlook and view and they are also worried about the new access road.
They point out there are already a large number of access points onto the Embo Road which is busy with holiday traffic in the summer.
The objectors are also querying the level of demand for more houses, given the current state of the housing market.
But Drummuie based planning officer Bob Robertson has given his backing to the plan.
He states in background papers: "It is considered the site would be better developed by one developer which would give a degree of design cohesiveness.
"This will provide a form and function which ensures a wholeness, rather than three individual randomly designed houses."
Councillors will also decided on Mr Mackintosh’s application at their meeting on Tuesday.
A GERMAN porn star who three months ago revealed his intention to move to Durness, has applied for planning consent to build a new home and business base in the local craft village.
Mr Philipp Tanzer, of Dresden, is seeking to build a home, hairdressing salon and massage parlour, at 16B Balnakeil Craft Village.
Mr Tanzer, who goes by the stage name of Logan McCree, has previously said that he decided to move to Scotland after his first visit to the country seven years ago.
He said, in a phone interview with The Northern Times: "I want to move to Durness because I want to stay there and hopefully raise a family in the not too distant future.
"It’s a good place to raise a child, I think. I am glad that I grew up in a village surrounded by nature and woods and I wouldn’t want to raise a child in a city."