It’s time for Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the Highlands.
Among this week’s potential developments is a new shopping precinct next to a prominent tourist attraction.
There are new houses and woodland restoration planned in Nairn and a Wester Ross fish farm which could bring new jobs to the community.
And as The Press and Journal revealed last week, a major supermarket chain has pulled out of its plans for a new store in Inverness.
Shops at the Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is one of the most famous walks on the Isle of Skye.
The large pinnacle of rock stands high above the ancient landscape, attracting 200,000 visitors each year.
It’s also a popular destination for wedding venues and a favourite with filmmakers.
In recent years, Highland Council has invested more than £2 million in tourism at Storr, including car parking, toilets, path improvement and habitat restoration.
And now a fresh planning application has been lodged by the council to build a retail unit next to the car park.
According to the papers, it will be around 1250sqft in size.
The move is one step of the council’s plan to a build on the destination’s potential.
There was minimal parking at the site before its car park was completed in 2021.
Before then, the area was overrun with vehicles left at the side of the road.
Nairn housing development with a twist
In Nairn, William MacLeod has applied for planning permission to build 15 houses at Sandown Farm Lane.
The Fort Reay development would sit on the outskirts of the town. It is described in the papers as a “place-led, nature-positive” proposal.
Woodland restoration is a key part of the plan.
The existing property at the site is in poor condition and the woodland there has been neglected for years.
This project is promising to reverse that decline and create a “well-designed residential community that can live in harmony and co-exist with the native woodland”.
A statement from Fort Reay said: “Our vision is for a better quality of life built around a shared sense of belonging, identity and communal landscape.
“We believe the future of Fort Reay should be defined by nature. Our approach will secure and enhance biodiversity and the long-term integrity of the woodland in a way that can be shared and enjoyed by all.”
Fish farm brings fresh jobs hope in Wester Ross
Mowi is planning to build a new production facility at the site of an old fish farm on the shores of Little Loch Broom at Ardressie.
The old hatchery buildings at the Wester Ross site will be demolished to make way.
In the papers, a statement from Mowi said: “This will allow Mowi to regain control of the breeding program for Scotland’s production fish.
“It will provide significant advances in survival and performance.”
If it goes ahead, the company expects it to create eight to 10 full-time jobs.
Lidl forced into rethink over Inverness plan
Lidl has pulled out of a major application to build a new supermarket and 38 houses in Inverness.
The retail giant was hoping to build a new store with a 109-space car park in the Drakies area of the city.
The site earmarked for the development was recently denoted as space for 80 houses in Highland Council’s local development plan.
That meant the supermarket chain would have struggled to win the approval of the council’s planners.
Spotted any plans you think we should know about? Get in touch at north@ajl.co.uk
Conversation