Inverness homes plan could save historic mansion near Culloden
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HISTORIC Stratton Lodge near Culloden could rise from the ashes as the centrepiece of a small housing development set in its attractive grounds.
The building, latterly an hotel, was twice ravaged by fire in recent years while unoccupied, and is a derelict shell.
Applications for planning permission and Listed Building Consent from Macdonald Hotels (Management) Ltd are being considered by Highland Council.
Macdonald Hotels’ agents G H Johnston Planning and Design, Inverness, say in their design concept: “The proposal will sympathetically and respectfully redevelop the lodge, retaining the façade and partial building footprint along with sensitive housing development.
“Restoring the building and redeveloping the curtilage to accommodate residential dwellings will not only reinstate Stratton Lodge as a built and cultural heritage landmark for the area but also would create a distinct, high-quality place and space.
“As Stratton Lodge is a Category B Listed Building, the proposal seeks to redevelop and incorporate the original building, as part of a wider residential development, in a manner that safeguards its historic fabric and character and brings it back into active use.”
Apartments would be formed that would allow the reuse and restoration of the lodge’s façade and gables while a new rear wing would have terrace of cottages, giving 13 new homes in total.
A further 17 detached and semi-detached houses would be formed within the rear curtilage of the site.
The statement adds: “This would not only save the historic building from further deterioration, but also provide an opportunity to create much-needed family homes for Inverness.”
The site is immediately west of the built-up area of Culloden village, and adjacent to and encompassing the application site, is land currently under consideration for building up to 400 homes.
The proposal would have no effect on the designated Culloden Battlefield site say the agents, with modern homes and a considerable distance between the two sites.
