Strathpeffer's status as 'gem' in the Highlands in the spotlight with public consultation on conservation area appraisal and management plan prepared by council for historic Ross-shire village

MEMBERS of the public are being urged to have their say on a consultation over protecting a Ross-shire "gem" within the Highlands.

Highland Council has announced the release for public consultation of the draft Strathpeffer Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

It seeks to define the characteristics that make Strathpeffer an area of special architectural and historic interest and sets out recommendations of how best to preserve the village’s rich history and heritage.It also proposes a number of important changes to the Conservation Area boundary.

Strathpeffer’s development began with the discovery of sulphurous mineral springs in 1770, which sowed the seeds for its later development in the 19th century by the Cromartie Estate.

Today, Strathpeffer is a popular residential area and visitor destination.

Commenting on the draft documents, Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said: “Strathpeffer is a distinct gem in the Highlands, as it contains a wealth of high-quality Victorian architecture and mature gardens. The appraisal and management plan sets out recommendations for boundary changes, together with considering the challenges and opportunities faced.I encourage all interested parties to attend the public drop-in event and comment upon the document, as their views will help shape the future of Strathpeffer.”

Members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in event on Wednesday, January 25 between noon and 5pm at Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion. Representatives from the council’s Historic Environment Team will be on hand to discuss the consultation, answer queries and share the draft appraisal and maps.

The consultation is open for comments until February 17. The draft appraisal and management plan can be viewed online at https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse/ or in person at County Buildings, High Street, Dingwall, Dingwall Library and Strathpeffer Community Centre. Comments can be made via the consultation portal at https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse/

What's in the document?

The Strathpeffer Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan runs to more than 60 pages and ranges from what conservation status means to a history of the settlement and the types of building materials which are preferable in the context of the village.

Through partnership working with Inverness City Heritage Trust, the Council has created a traditional building maintenance guide to help inform property owners, which is available via www.highland.gov.uk/maintenanceguide

Under a section on planning policies, the document states: "One of the greatest threats to any conservation area can be the accumulative effect of small, incremental changes which together have a significant negative impact on its authenticity and character and appearance. This can include for example, changes to traditional window designs, removing chimneys or skew copes during roofing works, and loss of original timber doors. As well as smaller alterations like box dormers or even fitting satellite dishes and pipework without consideration of the historic building and its environment.

"All proposals for new development (including garages and ancillary buildings etc) will demonstrate the use of high quality (including, where appropriate contemporary) design, materials and finishes and include detail of landscaping and boundary treatments. All proposals will take particular account of local context, views, townscape, setting, scale, massing, materials and detail;

"All new development proposals will adhere to the existing street pattern and present strong and coherent frontages where the development faces onto the street; all new development proposals will be supported by a detailed design statement

that clearly demonstrates how the proposal will either preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area."

For existing development, it states that the council will "will support the retention of historic features, fabric and detailing and the sensitive repair and maintenance of all buildings and built features" and "where traditional finishes and features have been replaced with modern, inappropriate and/or unsympathetic alternatives, the Council will insist upon the reinstatement of traditional finishes and features."

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