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Nairn community plea to save Café Lavender


By Val Sweeney

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Andreas and Anika Schulz.
Andreas and Anika Schulz.

HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition in a bid to save a Nairn café after it opened without permission.

Andreas and Anika Schulz opened Café Lavender this summer in the grounds of their guest house, Cawdor House, in Cawdor Street.

But a retrospective planning application for a café, bakery and takeaway has run into fierce opposition from nearby residents.

They say it represents a significant change and intensification of use, which is already having a detrimental impact on the residential amenity.

Issues raised include parking problems, noise, loss of privacy and cooking smells.

Highland Council officers also raised concerns about parking.

Although the application was withdrawn this week, Mr and Mrs Schulz intend to submit a new one in a bid to address the issues.

The couple, who have operated Cawdor House for the past four years, have also launched an online petition which has already been signed by more than 600 people.

They say they employ 10 local people and use all local suppliers and bring a taste of German café culture and hospitality to Nairn.

Mrs Schulz said they intend to carry on trading.

“We are trying to find a solution to satisfy nearby people and our customers,” she said.

“We hope a solution can be found.”

Nairn River Community Council has suggested mitigation such as screening and limited numbers.

“This new café has attracted considerable custom both from locals and visitors in the short time it has been open and is to some extent a victim of its own success here,” it stated in its submission.

“We want to see Nairn’s local economy thriving but not at the cost of the wellbeing and harmony of the local community so would not recommend that South Planning Applications Committee consent to this application, unless a number of conditions are attached.”


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