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Inverness holiday accommodation falls foul of conservation area rules after Highland Council throws out application for signs





The type of sign, illumination and colour scheme prompted criticism.
The type of sign, illumination and colour scheme prompted criticism.

“Poor quality” signs on a city centre holiday apartment business have earned Highland Council's ire after they fell foul of planning rules.

Inverness Studio Apartments, which is located in Eildon House on Inverness High Street, has failed in a bid to secure retrospective planning permission for its purple, tartan and plastic signage and exterior illuminations after enforcement action was taken.

The B-listed building sits within the city's conservation area, and the decision by the company to choose those materials - the perspex and illumination in particular - sparked concern not just from the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) but also Highland Council’s own conservation officers.

Responding to the application as a consultee, AHSS said: “William Robertson's impressive classical block has been compromised greatly by the modern shopfronts at ground floor level. However, its upper floors demand a good quality solution, particularly to their entrance here.

“The colour and general treatment is generally acceptable, within the context of this street and the later alterations to this building.

“The illuminated sign, however, is poor quality, not centred on the door below, and already showing signs of decay and dirt.

“A better-quality solution is needed for this sign, which respects the symmetrical panelled arrangement above this doorway. We note that the previous nightclub signs did respect the symmetry of the door and its panels above. We therefore encourage a re-think of this element of the signage.”

Highland Council’s officers, meanwhile, were blunt in their assessment.

This proposal shows no response to local historic distinctiveness. They said: “There is no aspect of this proposal which can claim to be enhancing the historic environment, and certainly no economic or social justification has been given for the adverse impact upon the heritage context.”

Refusing permission, Highland Council's planning officers said: "The proposed signage and re-painting, on the front elevation of a Category B Listed Building, within Inverness Riverside Conservation Area, will have a significantly adverse impact on the application building's historic character and appearance due to its poor-quality design and materiality.

“The proposal will also adversely affect the setting of adjacent/nearby Listed Buildings, as well as failing to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the” Inverness Riverside Conservation Area. "

The rejection of the colour scheme has been a long time coming, with the retrospective application dating back to December 2020.

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