Cabot Highlands’ revised plans for lodges at Castle Stuart Golf Links approved by Highland Council
Lodges with a "more traditional design" will be built at a links golf course after revised plans were approved by Highland Council.
Cabot Highlands had secured permission last year for plans for 16 lodges - comprising a combined total of 36 rooms - on land to the north and south of the clubhouse and main car park at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
But despite winning the green light, it subsequently had a rethink of the development and returned with smaller scale plans later in the year.
Part of the site earmarked for 10 of the 16 lodges will now only be occupied by five after Cabot sought and secured revised permission.
Explaining the rethink, a supporting statement lodged with the revised plans said: “A review by Cabot Highlands has determined that a more traditional design, which reflects the existing cottage on site, is the preferred design solution.
“As a result, the amended layout comprises five single-storey lodges, incorporating traditional design features typical of the Highland coastal villages. The design of each individual cottage differs adding interest and character but maintaining the single-storey elevations and traditional roof profiles.”
The new designs will feature white rendered walls. and traditional slate roofs.
Although the revised plans were approved, they only apply to the part of the original site that was earmarked for 10 of the 16 lodges.
In its supporting statement, Cabot explains that the other part of the site may yet be amended as well, but not necessarily.
“Although it is anticipated that the remaining lodge layout of the previous planning permission may also amend the design of the lodges to the south of the site, under the terms of the extant permission, these lodges would remain unaltered and capable of implementation,” it said.
“As with the previous planning permission, the amended layout ensures it will be set within a detailed landscaped environment designed to incorporate a suitable mix of species with an emphasis on berry bearing and flowering species suited to the coastal environment.”
Granting approval under delegated powers, Highland Council planning officers said: “The proposed position of the revised lodges is similar to that of the previous (approved) layout but developer has identified their preference for a more traditional design to reflect the existing cottage on site.
“The amended layout comprises five single-storey lodges, which incorporate traditional design features typical of the Highland coastal villages. The design of each individual cottage is varied to add interest and character but maintaining the single-storey elevations and traditional roof profiles.
“The amended design to single-storey cottages will also reduce the scale and massing of the development while reflecting the traditional characteristics of the typical Highland coastal village.”
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