Home   News   Article

New plans to turn former Treetops Stables near Culloden Battlefield into a leisure resort





PLANS for a leisure resort in an area close to the Culloden battlefield are to be submitted to council planners for a second time.

Inverness Paving Ltd has indicated it intends to submit a new planning application next year to convert the former Treetops Stables at Faebuie, Culloden Moor, into a leisure destination.

Previous plans were refused permission by councillors back in May and there are no precise details at this stage about how the new proposals might differ from those formerly submitted.

A public consultation event giving more details will be held on Saturday, November 9, from 10am to 3pm at the stables, with an advert for the day detailing plans for 13 new holiday lodges, an on-site café/retail facility and a new restaurant.

The public are being invited to give their views and suggestions at this event, though organisers also make clear that any such feedback will not represent formal representations to the council.

In the event of a full formal planning application being submitted both objectors and supporters of the scheme would have to make separate submissions to Highland Council for formal consideration by planners and councillors.

The original application received 87 objections against any change or further expansion of the stables.

Several members of the public alluded to the sensitivity of the location being close to Culloden Battlefield.

Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans, who helped establish the Culloden Muir Conservation Area, is curious to see what has changed about the proposals in the last five months.

“Given the application has already been refused those considering this will have to be cognisant of that fact and will need to reflect on what has changed,” he said.

“But it is bound to be controversial due to its proximity to the battlefield.”

In a separate development Kirkwood Homes, which previously attracted criticism over its Viewhill housing development close to the battlefield, has now submitted a proposal of application notice for a mixed-use development including residential,business and tourism elements next to Culloden viaduct.

The proposed site would be accessible from either Culloden Road or the minor road to Little Cantray.

A consultation event for these plans will be held on Monday, November 11, from 3pm to 8pm in Croy Hall.

Both applications are due to be considered by councillors at next Tuesday’s south planning applications committee.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More