Deadline looms for Inverness guest house owner who broke planning rules
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An Inverness guest house owner has until later this month to comply over the painting of stonework at the property.
Coinneach MacMillan lost his appeal against an enforcement notice issued by Highland Council after he painted corner stone blocks and other details at Crown House in Crown Drive in a cream colour.
Planning officers said the paint was not in keeping with the conservation area and it could accelerate the decay of underlying stone, so they could not support a retrospective application.
Although Mr MacMillan appealed against the notice, maintaining he was unaware the property was in a conservation area and needed permission before altering its character or appearance, the Scottish Government reporter found in favour of the council.
Mr MacMillan said he had not heard from the council since the appeal was turned down and feared removing the paint could cause irreversible damage to the stone.
“If it has to come off, how is it going to be removed?” he said. “I will have to discuss it with the council.”
Mr MacMillan maintained residents in the area were happy with the work and he understood there had been supportive comments on social media.
A council spokesman said the appeal against the enforcement notice was dismissed on September 20 by the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) which would have directly advised the householder the notice was to be complied with within two months.
“Therefore, it is upon the householder to comply with the requirements of the DPEA and Enforcement Notice by 20 November,” the spokesman said.
