Rural holiday retreat in the Highlands set to get go-ahead despite local opposition
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A proposed £3 million rural holiday retreat to the west of Inverness is being recommended for approval in principle despite strong opposition from local residents and community leaders.
The proposed venture – Blackstone Retreat – is at Ladystone Steading above Bunchrew.
The plan is to convert dilapidated agricultural buildings into 10 short-term holiday units with associated facilities including a spa, gym, café, shop, bike hire, library and car park.
The application, submitted by Dualchas Architects on behalf of local businesswoman Christy Marshall, has run into opposition from nearby residents and Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Council who are worried about access and road safety issues.
But Highland Council planning officers will recommend permission in principle be given by the south planning applications committee on Wednesday, stating mitigating measures would address the issues and the project would bring “some wider public benefits”.
Although access to the steading is from the A862, via the unadopted Ladystone Road, an alternative access has been proposed for the venture via Leachkin Brae and a section of a historic drove road.
But objectors have voiced concerns about increased traffic, saying Leachkin Brae is a narrow, steep single track road with no footway and limited passing opportunities.
The report to be presented to the planning applications committee suggests a range of conditions including strengthening the carriageway edges along Leachkin Brae and upgrading the passing places.
The report states: "This proposal was always going to have to balance a number of competing interests.
"The applicant has sought to provide an appropriate level of detail for this planning permission in principle application and, while a significant amount of detail still requires submission through a further application for matters specified in conditions, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to develop this site for holiday accommodation while maintaining appropriate safeguards for the various concerns raised."
Ms Marshall, who hopes to embark on the project with her partner Ryan Forbes, is cautiously optimistic about the development and says it will bring significant economic benefits to the area.
"We are of course aware of the concerns regarding the plans, but if we are granted permission, we have no doubt that everything we do will enhance the area," she said.
"At the moment, the buildings are an eyesore and we hope we are given the opportunity to bring them back to life sensitively."
She said it would create construction jobs and the retreat itself would provide at least 10 permanent jobs to begin with.
"The impact of the pandemic continues to be a very difficult time for us all and to get to this point has not been easy," she said.
"However, we are pushing forward in the hope of a positive outcome at committee and in return we can create a unique retreat for the Highlands."
The ethos would be around healthy living and encouraging the guests to use and embrace what is on the doorstep, such as walking and cycling, while the site shop would stock only local products.
Related story: Transport officers say planned holiday retreat likely to lead to increased traffic conflict
