'Inundated with bookings' motorhome site celebrates at Laggan
Celebrations are going on in Badenoch at the final approval of a caravan and motorhome site – and not just at the site.
Highland Council's planning committee have given retrospective planning permission to Laggan CL Caravan & Motorhome Parking at Tigh an Each, Balgowan.
The business had sought approval for use of the site as a campervan aire offering five pitches to the touring public.
Applicant Stephen Chalmers told the Strathy: "We are delighted to have finally received our planning persmission, having been inundated with booking requests all summer.
"It will be great to get back to welcoming guests back to Laggan CL."
Mr Chalmers added: "We have a bit of work to do before we can re-open, but hopefully it won't take us too long.
"We will update everyone once we know when we can start to accept our loyal guests back onto our CL, but for tonight there may be some celebrations!"
Also celebrating was his neighbouring provider Ruaridh Ormiston at Croila Croft in Kingussie.
Mr Ormiston, who was among the first 'aire' developers to take advantage of relaxed licensing regulations, told the Strathy: "Well done to Stevie.
"There is a real need for CL provision locally we have had to be turning people away at Kingussie.
"Everywhere else seems to be full with the summer rush and there really is a desperate need for more places for motorhomes and caravans to go.
"Right now there are lots of foreigners on the go – mostly Dutch, German and Italian – but everywhere is full.
"This is very good news."
At the same time, the development dismayed some in the area.
As Mr Chalmers said: "A neighbour with a holiday house complained to the planning department that we had put hard standings in, which needed planning permission. So we have been closed since February pending the decision, which we finally got this week."
The full story from the council chamber can be seen in Thursday's Strathy.
