Highland Fairy Glen glamping pods plan gives rise to road safety concerns
Proposals to site new glamping pods near a Black Isle beauty spot have attracted a further objection from within Highland Council.
Before Christmas the Dingwall flood risk management team said it could not support the plans for five glamping pods north of Whinhill Quarry depot and close to the popular Fairy Glen in Rosemarkie on the basis of information available to it at that point.
Now the transport team says it “objects to the proposals on the grounds of road safety” while also setting out the terms under which that objection could be overcome.
It cites insufficient visibility for drivers from the site access onto the A832 public road.
And it adds: “Additionally, there is insufficient roads related information submitted with the application to allow the transport planning team to provide any comment at this time.”
It brands the site access “sub-standard” and says it would need to be upgraded, although it also adds it “would be satisfied” if an existing layby was upgraded.
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And it wants details of “how surface water run-off from the layby and access to the development will be prevented from flowing onto the A832 public road.“
It adds further: “The transport planning team is satisfied that the provision of in-curtilage parking spaces and turning areas complies with Table 6.4 of Roads and Transport Guidelines for New Developments (RTGND).
“However, at least one parking space should be marked as accessible parking, as per Table 6.11 of RTGND.
“The construction phase of the development appears to be of a relatively small scale.
“However, the prefabricated pods will require to be transported to site, and lifting plant will be needed for their placement.
“To protect the integrity of the public and ensure minimal disruption to surrounding residents, businesses and other road users, the transport planning team request the applicant to submit a Construction Traffic Management Plan.”
This, it says, should give consideration to a number of factors including clarification of the potential for abnormal loads, predicted volume and type of construction traffic and proposals for traffic management as well as measures to ensure public safety.
A statement submitted on behalf of applicant Toby Watson says the pods would be a year-round operation meeting demand from visitors and providing a boost to the local economy.
Boasting wood-burning hot tubs the pods would be constructed off site and delivered as full units.
The flood risk team, said previously that part of the site has been identified as being at risk of flooding but asked for more information to better understand the extent of that risk and how it would be managed.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council has also raised concerns including over lack of a pedestrian route from Rosemarkie; that the site seems to be overdeveloped in terms of ability to manage waste water; and use of chemicals in relation to the hot tubs.
