Conservation hub set for expansion?

THERE was a disappointing response to a recent six-week public consultation to gauge local thinking about a proposed extension of Grantown's conservation area.

Less than one per cent of residents offered an opinion. Proposed change will bring a greater number of properties into the protected area and, therefore, under stricter planning controls.

However, Andrew Puls, Highland Council's principal officer for building conservation and environment, told local councillors meeting in Grantown that from 732 local homes, and after a consultation event attended by 50 people, there were only 12 responses. Opinion was also sought online. There is potential for the amended boundary to generate more planning applications. Parts of Grantown including The Square were designated as a conservation area in 1975. This is the first formal review since that designation.

The proposal is to extend the designated area along South High Street and into peripheral areas of the conservation zone. Mr Puls stressed it was not the purpose of a conservation area to prevent development but "rather to control development to ensure it is appropriately sited and designed".

He said this was aptly demonstrated by a number of new developments consented in recent years. Strong views were expressed – for and against – on the inclusion of the belt of trees to the north and west of Inverallan Church.

The trees contribute to the setting of the conservation area, forming a backdrop to the B-listed church "and provide a natural separation with the later development to the north west", according to the officer's report to members.

Those against the proposed extension cited the project to convert the church for "community use, part funded by developing housing either side of the church".

There was a sense that including the location within the conservation area would be "a barrier to this development".

Conversely, there was support for including the trees because they would be better protected from speculative development.

The draft proposals will go to the council's south planning committee for approval. If adopted, all properties within the conservation area will be notified by letter.