Loch Ness-side village tourist shop and bistro plan sparks objection from local community council
Proposals for a new gift shop and bistro close to a popular beauty spot in a Loch Ness-side village are a danger to traffic.
That’s one of the fears of the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council, which has objected to the plans for the one-and-a-half storey building on land within the grounds of Foyers House - close to paths for the famous Falls of Foyers.
Documents submitted by applicant Louise Elies say that the plans, which also include an owners’ flat on the upper floor, would create four jobs.
In a design statement lodged with the application, Ms Elies' agents WA MacDonald Building Design, said: "The bistro will operate all year-round and is the perfect destination for people to sit down and relax after exploring everything Foyers has to offer.
"The gift shop will sell tourism merchandise and benefit from tourists visiting the Loch Ness and other nearby attractions."
But the proposals have already sparked some controversy, with locals speaking out at the plans to build a shop and café just metres from the popular Waterside Café and Foyers Stores.
Forestry officers at Highland Council have also lodged a formal objection “pending further information” over the impact on numerous established trees - some of which would be felled, while others would be close to the building and car park, sparking questions over the impact on their root systems..
And now the community council has added its voice to the criticism - citing numerous concerns over the proposals.
As well as worries over the site’s road access being close to a “blind corner”, they have raised concerns over what they feel is the limited car parking being proposed, and the impact on existing businesses.
Raising concerns over road safety, the community council said: “The proposed access point is situated on a blind corner when approaching towards the Inverness direction and on a steep incline when arriving from the Inverness direction.
“This location poses a serious risk to road safety, both for residents and the increasing number of tourists who frequent the area. Visibility is extremely limited, and the increase in turning traffic at this point would significantly heighten the potential for accidents.”
Moving on to concerns that the business could undermine the existing shop and café, they added: “There is already an existing and well-supported shop and café located approximately 50 metres from the proposed site.
“The introduction of a second, directly adjacent business of the same nature raises questions of sustainability and long-term viability.
“Rather than enhancing the local economy, it risks diluting the customer base, undermining both businesses, and contradicting principles of sustainable development as outlined in [planning policies]”.
Elsewhere, they flagged concerns that the development could “place additional pressure on limited local services and infrastructure, which are already stretched during peak tourist seasons”.
And they also noted that 33kv and 11kv power lines pass through or right next to the site.
They concluded: “In light of these concerns-particularly regarding road safety, unsustainable duplication of services, insufficient infrastructure, and misalignment with both [national planning policy] and the local place plan, the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council objects to [the] planning application.
“We urge Highland Council to refuse this application in the interest of community safety, cohesion, and sustainability.”
The plans will be decided by Highland Council at a future date.
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