Highland Council receives planning application for new chip shop in Muir of Ord; Dingwall business understood to be connected to it

Delighted village residents are salivating at the prospect that a new chip shop and restaurant could open in the heart of their community.

Plans have been lodged to transform the former Munro Butchers shop in Muir of Ord into a hot food takeaway, sit-in restaurant and sweet shop.

The proposal is the brainchild of the applicant Tarradale Chippy, which is understood to be connected to Dingwall's Tarradale Home Improvements business - as forms submitted with the application cite that latter company's address as being that of the applicant.

Indeed Tarradale Home Improvements’ social media pages teased its followers earlier this month with pictures saying "watch this space" and showing someone tucking into food inside a restaurant.

Responses to that tease flooded in, both on the original Facebook post, and on shares, with rumours of it being a chip shop swiftly circulating, and the likes of Muir of Ord Community Council sharing the original post alongside the words "Who's excited!"

Maria Mackenzie said: "Think the whole village will be!"

And Aldie Fraser said :"Lets get this chip shop up and running and show everyone the Muir is not finished yet" before wishing the applicant the best of luck "and all success to you".

Phyllis Hannah added: "It's certainly keeping the village occupied with something to talk about".

Haley Gibson said: "Aww lovely. Be good to see the High Street getting lively again".

And now an application has been formally lodged by Tarradale Chippy, confirming the chip shop speculation and that of the site in Muir of Ord's Great North Road next to the village Co-op.

Under the proposals, the site would be home to both a chip shop and sit-in restaurant, as well as a sweet shop and ice cram parlour. The existing butchers' shop front would be branded as the Tarradale Auld Sweetie Shop.

Meanwhile a separate entrance would be created on the side of the building's sizeable rear extension for use as the entrance to the chip shop.

Drawings of the site's internal layout show that the existing large freezers and fridge and preparation area would all be taken out, and replaced with a servery, a new prep area, and indoor seating with space for seven tables, seating a total of 28 people. Male, female and unisex/disabled toilets would also be installed.

A supporting statement submitted by the applicants' agents, Plans Plus design consultants, said: "It is considered that this will be a welcomed business for this area, bringing in additional employment for local residents.

"The applicant is investing considerable capital into this project and it is hope to receive council backing for this development."

They added that there will be "no real external changes proposed" to the property beyond the new entrance door for the chip shop "and perhaps some replacement windows and general decoration". An existing wooden fence would also be lowered where the new chip shop entrance would be located "so that customers can clearly see where the entrance... is located".

They added: "The sweet shop will occupy the front section of the building where the butchers shop operated from. The link door to the proposed chip shop will be retained for customers who perhaps want sweets or an ice cream with their food".

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