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Developer defends plans for holiday accommodation on Aviemore housing street





Motherwell-based Sweeney Group is behind the application for the holiday accommodation.
Motherwell-based Sweeney Group is behind the application for the holiday accommodation.

The Sweeney Group has provided a full response to the Strathy defending the application for Dunroamin and the way the wider proposal is being handled.

Director Martin Sweeney stated: "Sweeney Group are delighted to be part of the Aviemore community having recently invested in the Vermont on Grampian Road and hope to bring our smart tech boutique Sweeney rooms business into Aviemore to support the abundant demand for accommodation within the domestic and international tourism sector.

"We are a small family run company owned and operated by brothers Martin and Stephen Sweeney with family values at the core of everything we do.

"We own and operate an already successful smart boutique operation in the Central Belt of Scotland and are looking to replicate this across Scotland in key locations.

"Crucially we must debunk some myths about what and how we operate in existing communities.

"At all times we aim to be a good neighbour and to that end we are not an Airbnb, we are not a party house or similar and neither is the accommodation we offer a serviced flat.

"What our brand and business strive to offer tourists and others is a home from home with an elevated level of technology, high quality design, and comfort as well as having guest safety and security at the fore front of everything that we do across all of our boutique accommodation.

"Sweeney Rooms has found over many years of trading that both domestic and international tourists, families, couples, and people interested in the great outdoors are looking for this type of flexible accommodation and it is looking to provide it within Aviemore itself where there has been traditionally a reliance on the more traditional forms of tourist accommodation.

"With the ever-changing leisure and tourism marketplace and increased expectations of guests in choice and quality of accommodation, Sweeney Rooms are creating an opportunity in Aviemore that works very well for the modern traveller and increases the choices available in a recognised tourist destination.

"Our guests are encouraged to embrace and use the local services of shops cafes, takeaway, restaurants, pubs local amenities and facilities.

"Inevitably this generates business within the local economy and supports community growth. Local tourist information is available in all rooms and we will work closely with visit Scotland and the local tourist association to ensure that this happens.

"We have sourced and are utilising local labour and suppliers in our refurbishment of the adjacent property and there will be continued employment in terms of maintenance, management, changeovers of linen and cleaning supplies.

"Given our business is built around the use of technology to assist in its management we invest heavily in smart locking systems at the premises, monitored CCTV, L1 monitored fire system, indoor and outdoor monitoring system for sound, motion, temperature, humidity, occupancy and security monitoring at all periods.

"Crucially and contrary to some representations we will have a local duty manager who will be available for emergency callouts and will always have full visibility of the monitoring system as well as automated direct messaging to guests.

"Sweeney Rooms is an established business investing around £2m in Aviemore alone. We are already committed to supporting local community initiatives and will continue to do so and welcome discussions with local organisations which feel could benefit also from the investment we’re making in the village.

"As we understand it in broad Planning terms there is clear support in both the HwLDP (Highland Local Development Plan) and the CNPLDP (Cairngorms Local Development Plans) for providing quality tourist accommodation and in our particular case we are creating additional accommodation in a more sustainable manner with access to the town centre and to multiple travel choices, both in travelling to the area and when moving around it.

"Our planning application was submitted in mid-November to Highland Council, however, due to time taken to formally register the application which was due to an administrative issue on the local authority side it was not validated until later part of December, and again contrary to some assertions our company did not try to ‘sneak’ the submission in at a time when we fully understand people have other things on their mind.

"Our only intention as a family business which relies on reputation is to be a good neighbour to those around our properties and to provide high-quality serviced accommodation which we feel will be a great addition to the accommodation mix in Aviemore and the wider Cairngorms National Park.

"We would welcome a discussion with anyone in the community who would like to understand more about our concept and support us to integrate and be part of the community in the future to sustain the vibrant tourism market which exists in this part of the country."


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