Appeal lodged after plans refused for house to enable AGA business expansion near Inverness
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A couple are challenging refusal of their plans to build a house to support their business - which they say is helping to reduce carbon emissions - in a rural area south of Inverness.
Highland Council turned down the proposed development, which also includes two holiday pods, at Farr, Mains Of Faillie.
In publishing its decision. it said the nature and scale of the house was not compatible with the surrounding area and would result in the expansion into, and development of, open agricultural land and also that the two pods did not accord with national planning policy.
But applicants Ben and Gemma Horsfield lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) which says it has no jurisdiction to consider the case as it should have been submitted to the local review body.
The couple, of Tornagrain, say their successful family-run AGA business - which has outgrown its present location - is helping to reduce carbon emissions and stress their intention behind buying the land was to enable its expansion.
The aim is also to create a small holding with a small number of rescue sheep and chickens plus a vegetable patch and to be as self-sufficient as possible.
In a letter to the DPEA, the Horsfields state: “The expansion of our business not only creates employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, but also addresses the growing demand for AGA engineers in the area.
“We firmly believe that training more individuals in this field is essential to meet the needs of our customers who often struggle to find qualified engineers.
“Furthermore, we are passionate about promoting sustainable practices, particularly through the use of electric conversion kits. These kits, which we have been selling for the past seven years, have significantly reduced emissions by 70 per cent.
“Our commitment to this cause has garnered us hundreds of satisfied customers, resulting in a steady increase in the sales of electric kits each month.
“Addressing the concerns raised regarding the impact on the landscape, we would like to highlight that there are already scattered houses in the vicinity.”
They say the proposed single-storey four-bedroom house has been designed to blend in with the natural surroundings.
They continue “Our desire to have a smallholding, housing sheep and chickens, is aligned with our vision of creating a sustainable living environment for our children, including the cultivation of vegetable patches.
“With regards to the rejection based on encroachment onto agricultural land, we would like to clarify that the land in question does not meet the definition of agricultural land. It is waterlogged, with half of it covered in reeds and the other half having hardcore laid with only partial growth of spruce.
The unsuitability of the land for crops or livestock is evident upon visiting the site. Due to its condition, it is classified as brownfield land, which necessitates intervention and redevelopment.”
The couple say they are committed to working closely with the planning authority to address any concerns and make necessary adjustments to their plans.
