Muir of Ord looks set to host new chip shop after plans were approved by Highland Council

Plans for a new chip shop that had village residents salivating have been given the greenlight.

Applicant Tarradale Chippy was successful in its bid to secure permission to turn the former Munro Butchers shop in Muir of Ord into a hot food takeaway, sit-in restaurant and sweet shop.

When news of the High Street application first emerged the application, which is understood to be connected to Dingwall's Tarradale Home Improvements business, won lots of support from the public - with many voicing their eagerness to sample their fish and chips when it opens.

Posts on Tarradale Home Improvements’ social media pages which teased its followers with pictures saying "watch this space" and showing someone tucking into food inside a restaurant, sparked a flood of enthusiastic posts,

Comments included Aldie Fraser, who 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".

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

Under the application, the site would be house a chip shop and sit-in restaurant, as well as a sweet shop and ice cram parlour, the latter of which would be accessed from the street front through the existing butchers' shop front and branded as the Tarradale Auld Sweetie Shop.

The chip shop element, meanwhile would be accessed by a new separate entrance on the side of the building's sizeable rear extension. An existing two-metre tall fence that runs along that side of the building would also be lowered near the new entrance to improve visibility of that access and the chippy inside.

Internally, the site’s 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.

In total, there would be space to seat around 28 people.

Giving the plans the greenlight under delegated powers, Highland Council’s planning officers said: “The location of the building is central to Muir of Ord and is well connected to the nearby areas via sustainable means and the use of a brownfield site is an example of adaptability supporting commitment to investing in the long-term value of the buildings. These are desirable qualities.”

They continued: “The addition of another food takeaway unit in the local commercial centre improves its vitality and viability by increasing the mix of uses.”

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."

Council planners said that one letter of objection had been submitted in connection to the application, which raised concerns over the business’ impact on the Co-op supermarket next to it which shares off-road access for customer parking.

They worried that the existing spaces were mostly used by Co-op customers and that there was insufficient on-street parking nearby, especially given the site’s location next to a busy junction.

But council planners noted that the applicant’s supporting statement sought to address this concern and that the previous business on the site had operated there “with no complaints registered with the council related to the issue”.

The planners approved the planning application.

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