Plans for a controversial aparthotel in Aviemore have been refused on appeal
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An appeal for an aparthotel on a residential street in Aviemore which caused so much disquiet amongst neighbours has been thrown out.
The Reporter David Liddell agreed with local residents that converting Dunroamin B&B on Craig-na-Gower Avenue was over-development of the site and would lead to neighbours being disturbed.
Sweeney Apartments & Rooms had applied for the change of use of the seven-bedroom B&B into 10 serviced apartments.
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Highland Council planners had recommended approval but members of Highland Council's South Planning Applications committee roundly refused the bid in August.
A senior Highland councillor said at the time he has seen 'fewer objections for a wind farm' than those submitted protesting against plans for the holiday apartments.
Councillors believed that the development along with a similar apartment block next-door – which used to be Vermont Guest House – and already operated by the same Motherwell-based company would impact too much on residents living in the vicinity.
Mr Liddell visited the site for himself on February 21, this year, and has now rejected the appeal.
He stated: "The concerns I have about the effects on the residential amenity of the closest neighbouring houses seem to me to arise as a result of what I would characterise as a proposal to over-develop the site.
"The number of car parking spaces required results in a cramped and awkward layout.
"It brings the parking and vehicle movements for the development around to the side and rear of the building which seems to me to design-in the potential for conflict with the amenity of the neighbouring dwellings in particular given the significantly increased visitor capacity.
"The decking for multiple apartments at the site adds to the likely effects of the intensified use of the site.
"Even the somewhat incongruous inclusion of five separate apartment entrances on the front elevation and the need for three further individual access to the rear is in my view a further indicator that what is proposed is over-development, even though I do not find the visual effects of these to be significantly harmful."
He added: "I saw that there is other tourist accommodation nearby in the town with parking at the rear and which is very close to neighbouring dwellings. I have noted the similar use now established at the neighbouring property on Grampian Road.
"Nevertheless, these are my findings in respect of this development."
The Reporter did acknowledge in his findings that the aparthotel would bring some economic benefits to the area but this did not outweigh the potential of disturbance to neighbours.
He stated: "With limited cooking facilities in the apartments, I expect that most guests would eat out. There would be spending on cleaning, managing, supplying and servicing the development.
"There would also be local employment and other economic effects arising from the physical works to alter the property.
"I take all of this into account."
The Reporter also did not have any issues with the nature of proposed development on a residential street as he agreed with the appellants that its location was close to the centre of Aviemore.
One of the opponents Fiona Coats told the Strathy: “We are pleased that the Reporter has rejected the appeal. I – along with many other people – thought it was the wrong kind of development in the wrong location.”
The Sweeney Group was contacted for comment but did not respond.
The full decision can be read by clicking here.
