Holiday lodges and artist's studio proposals tabled by Muir of Ord couple
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THREE new holiday lodges and an artist's studio could be built in a Ross-shire community if the proposal is granted planning permission.
Plans have been submitted to Highland Council by Alan and Louise Innes for approval for the project on land 45m east of Jacaranda at Drynie Park in Muir Of Ord.
As well as the new properties they are hoping to build a service building and an implement shed with a three-hole pitch and putt green.
Once completed the lodges would provide self catering accommodation at the site which covers an area of 5868 square metres and is described as an undeveloped field.
According to the application form the applicants are proposing to include eight new parking spaces as well as an altered water supply and drainage arrangements.
The scheme would take up 1.45 acres of the 6.32 acres of amenity land which is already owned by the applicants.
According to the supporting information, which was submitted as part of the application, the applicant is an artist with a shared studio in Inverness city centre who would like to relocate
her studio to allow her to expand and offer workshops.
It said: "The proposed development would provide accommodation for disabled patrons and their family which are in short supply and in great demand with the lodges being in line within both the Scottish Planning Guidelines and The Highland Council's Housing in the Countryside Policy 35."
The document added that the council would encourage self-catering tourist accommodation which respects the various related policies in connection with sustainability, energy efficiency and materials.
It said that the lodges had been designed to maximise solar gain with large areas of glazing on the south east elevations and limited glazing on the north west elevations in the direction of the prevailing north west winds.
The report said: "The lodge also incorporates large roof overhangs to allow for the uses of the outdoor space in inclement weather and shadowing in hot conditions.
"The lodges have been designed to avoid the Big House syndrome with external finishes of profiled metal roofing incorporating projecting exposed rafters, larch lapped vertical boarding plus feature shiplap detailing to relieve the elevations and painted common brick base course.
"Rain water will be taken to individual soak-a-ways to meet suds requirements and foul drainage taken to a shared septic tank and soak away system."
