Strathconon Hall extension go-ahead a boost to Highland Games plans

PLANS for a proposed building extension and increased parking area at a Ross-shire village hall have been given the go-ahead by Highland Council.

Organisers at Strathconon Village Hall are hoping the project will begin by the end of next month and they are aiming to have the work completed in time for the local Highland games.

Mark Fleming, a hall committee member and project manager, said: "We've got the planning approvals and building model in place now – we are good to go. We are looking, at the moment, at starting works towards the end of February."

He said they hoped to have the hall ready in time for the Strathconon Games 2020, which are due to be held on Saturday, July 25, where the venue would be used to host the evening ceilidh.

The budget for the project is in the region of £200,000 and the cash has been provided by a grant from the Fairburn Windfarm Fund as well as match funding from the Strathconon Estate.

Mr Fleming said: "The planning process has been fairly straightforward, it's a fairly simple project, it will involve the removal of the existing extension and replacing it like for like – but it is modern and insulated."

The project would also replace existing kitchen and bathroom facilities which are thought to date back to the early 1980s.

Mr Fleming said: "The idea is that if we get the kitchen and toilets upgraded it will be a lot more appealing to rent out as a venue."

According to the decision notice, which was issued by Highland Council, planning permission was granted subject to a number of conditions and reasons.

The first condition was that no finish should be applied to the timber cladding until full details had been submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority to ensure the development was sensitive to, and compatible with, its context and local architectural styles.

A number of road safety issues were highlighted including: no surface or ground water discharged from the site onto to the public road, that a construction phase traffic management plan be approved and the development should be a minimum of 6m back from the public road, with vehicular access complying with a construction specification.

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