Beauty spa plan considered

A Highland hotel’s proposal for a health and beauty spa will be considered by councillors this week.

Members of the south planning committee are being urged by local authority officers to approve the application from the Boat Hotel at Boat of Garten.

But members will visit the proposed site today before discussing the scheme in Inverness tomorrow.

The plan is for a single-storey detached building featuring two treatment rooms, a “quiet room”, relaxation area and a reception area.

A spa terrace with hot tub and barrel sauna is also proposed.

The site is an area of landscaped open space ground facing directly on to the Strathspey Railway Station car park.

The planning application was referred to the committee because it prompted nine public objections from six separate parties.

Among the concerns is that the proposal is contrary to the local development plan, and the potential noise and visual impact of the project.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has no objection to the scheme.