Inverness businessman gets green light for his back garden skatepark after planning appeal
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A skateboarding plan on the Black Isle that was thrown out by councillors after attracting more than 30 objections has been granted on appeal.
Businessman Taran Campbell started to build the skatepark beside his house at Drumsmittal, near North Kessock, to allow him to continue his passion, but then discovered he needed planning permission.
His retrospective application to Highland Council was accompanied by new applications to extend his house, form a self-contained holiday-let unit, and build a sizeable shed.
All were refused last December by councillors who went against the advice of planning officers.
But “within minutes” Mr Campbell lodged an appeal and planning appeals reporter Ailie Callan came north to see the site and now he has the green light for everything.
Mr Campbell said he was delighted with his win, but neighbours certainly were far from happy claiming he celebrated by playing loud music. He said the music was not loud and stopped at 8pm.
Objections on the grounds of noise, loss of amenity, loss of prime farm land, road safety were all rejected.
Nearest neighbour and objector retired art teacher Sandra Dingwall of Windsong, Drumsmittal, said she would respond to the decision after due consideration.
Mr Campbell (38) a skatepark designer and chairman of Inverness Wheeled Sports Club, said: “I am delighted with the news which was based on planning policy.
“The objections were about a fear of what might possibly be, but it is not going to be a commercial venture.”
Ms Callan said in her approval report: “The site is small, and the proposed development would be, in my opinion, a negligible intrusion into agricultural land.
“Whilst the proposed skate park is not a typical land use in this area, it is domestic in scale and would not be used for business or public recreational use.
“A number of objections were submitted to the appeal raising concerns relating to the potential environmental impact that could arise from the proposal, in particular potential visual and noise impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties that could arise from the skate park.
“Based on the evidence from the noise impact assessment carried out by the council’s environmental health officer I am satisfied that the use of the skate park would be unlikely to result in noise that would form a statutory nuisance or an excessive detriment to amenity.
“The creation of earth bunds and the installation of acoustic fencing would further reduce any potential residual noise impact. I do not consider that the bunds or the fence would have an impact on the visual amenity of neighbouring properties.
“Consequently, I consider that the proposed skate park would not have an adverse impact on visual amenity.”
Concerns about a balcony on the extension overlooking neighbours, were dismissed due to the distance between the buildings.
A road access improvement condition was imposed.
Ms Callan concluded: “Further objections were made regarding disturbance to wildlife and livestock, on sites adjacent to the appeal site and in the wider area. I have no evidence before me to suggest that the proposed development or use of the skate park would adversely impact on wildlife or livestock, or that any reduction in wildlife occurred as a direct result of the appeal proposal.
“I therefore conclude, for the reasons set out above, that the proposed development would accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would justify not granting planning permission.”
Another condition was that the skate park be used only for the enjoyment of the dwelling house, and for no other purpose.
“For the avoidance of doubt the skate park shall not be open to members of the public or run as a commercial business” said Ms Callan.
