Elgol residents yesterday slammed Highland Council planners accusing them of an “abuse of process” after councillors granted planning permission for a hot food takeaway and four gas cylinders near their harbour.
The planners told councillors that the only issue they were required to approve at the north planning application committee in Inverness was whether to grant the applicant, Drew Sim, permission to install a 32ft portable-style building on the site. He already has permission for a 24ft building.
Mr Sim has cleared the ground just above the harbour some 25m away from the nearest house on a portion of common grazing land he acquired.
Planners also told the meeting that Mr Sim had addressed earlier environmental health concerns by agreeing to put a chemical toilet for staff in the building, and to have mains electricity and mains water on the site.
Residents have lodged a number of complaints about the plans, which they say have been completely ignored.
They cited loss of parking space in an already congested area, along with questions over litter and waste disposal, smells and concerns over the visual impact on one of Skye’s most iconic beauty spots.
David Brown of Bella Jane Boat Trips based at in the harbour said he no longer had any confidence in local democracy.
He said: “I have no confidence that councillors are making the right decisions. They cancelled a site visit here at the last minute. To my knowledge planners have never even been here to look at the implications.”
And Claire Winskill of Coruisk House Hotel said she was shocked by the decision.
The former barrister said: “This is an abuse of process on so many levels. Transport planning officers have never been to see the problems we already have with parking in Elgol.
“The applicant’s planning applications for the site, of which there have been three, started at 73 square meters and is now at 280 square meters, quadrupled in size.
“My letter of objection was redacted at the request of the applicant. I had used the word ugly to describe the building and it was blacked out.
“Planning officers have no idea of the impact of such a building here.”
She added: “To deliver on his promise to use mains water on the site, the applicant will have to dig up the harbour.”
Skye councillors John Gordon and Calum MaLeod unsuccessfully argued against the proposal on grounds of congestion, visual impact and litter disposal, and a breach of the Local Development Plan.
Mr Gordon said: “This now sets a precedent for blights on other Skye beauty spots, and shows a complete disregard for traffic congestion which is such a serious issue here.”
