Crown Court Hotel in Inverness to get extra bedrooms

CROWN residents are vowing to keep watch on the controversial expansion of a city hotel.

Owners of the Crown Court Hotel in Southside Road, Inverness have secured planning permission to turn a function hall into extra bedrooms, raising the number from 12 to 19.

Some householders are worried the move will pave the way for future conversion to a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). Others fear a possible increase in traffic near schools, poor parking and loss of dining and function facilities.

But Mohamed Ali, who bought the premises last month, insists he has never run an HMO and has no intention of doing so. He also pledged to retain a public bar.

After considering 12 public representations, Highland Council officials concluded there were no grounds for refusal. They assured residents any future conversion to an HMO would require a fresh planning application.

One objector, architect James Maxwell, said: “The decision is no surprise, as it was not effectively a change of use. The concern of neighbours and ourselves is that it is change of use by stealth, to a house of multiple occupation. We just have to monitor the situation. As neighbours, we will be very much on the case.”

Mr Ali, of Ali & Mac Properties – which owns hotels in Buckie, Lossiemouth and Nairn – is intent on completing the renovations within 10 weeks.

He said: “We have a brand across seven hotels and like to keep them in a good manner.

“Crown Court has been tenanted for many years and had very little investment.

“If the local residents are not happy for someone to throw money at it then, in the nicest possible way, damn them.”

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