New 30-home plan to restore eyesore mansion near Culloden
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A revised planning application could see historic Stratton Lodge rising from the ashes as the centrepiece of a small housing development set in its attractive grounds.
The 245-year-old mansion (built 1779) about three miles from Inverness and 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Ltd are being considered by Highland Council for a second time, and previous applications put forward a year ago, are withdrawn.
The resubmission is a result of an altered access arrangement and revised house designs and conversion details as discussed and agreed with both the council's Historic Environment Team and case officer said the applicant.
The proposal is to built a total of 30 homes.
This will include redevelopment of the Category-B Listed ruined building and further housing in the surrounding grounds.
The former hotel is noted as being of "very poor" condition in the Buildings at Risk Register which confirms its roofless and derelict state.
The surrounding lands are zoned for around 400 homes, plus business and community use.
Planning consultants Mabbett & Associates say on behalf of Macdonald Hotels: "The proposal seeks to redevelop and incorporate the original building, as part of a wider residential development, in a manner that safeguards its remaining historic structure and character and brings it back into active use.
"A total of 13 flats would be formed that would allow the reuse and restoration of the lodge and its façade and gables, while a rear wing designed around a modest courtyard configuration would provide further accommodation.
"A further 17 detached houses would be formed within the rear curtilage of the site.
"This would not only save the historic building from further deterioration, but it will provide an opportunity to create much-needed family homes for Inverness."
Amended proposals for alternative site access arrangements is via a new dedicated Primary Route access road to the east and the Milton of Culloden development have also now been incorporated and lead to this further resubmission.
The Mabbet report adds: "Access meantime from Caulfield Road could be utilised as a short-term measure if the surrounding development has not proceeded at a similar time and we would ask the council to consider this option."
The site is immediately west of the built-up area of Culloden village, and adjacent to and encompassing the application site is land earmarked for building up to 400 homes.
