Three-bedroom short-term let at Shoe Cellar Main Street Kyle, Kyle of Lochalsh

“PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 1.1 The proposal seeks part-retrospective planning permission for the change of use of a ground floor retail unit to a three-bedroom short-term holiday let. The application was submitted following an enforcement case. The works undertaken were limited to the ground-floor washrooms, necessitated by a pipe connection serving the upper floor. In addition, timber partitions were installed on the ground floor.”

“Once removed, the external wall that is exposed will have no openings. In addition, a new door opening is proposed for the laundry/store room. All other changes are internal. The development is connected to the public sewer and water supply and no changes are proposed. There are no dedicated existing car parking spaces and no parking is proposed. Pre Application Consultation: None 1.4 Supporting Information: None 1.5 Variations: None 2.”

“There is a takeaway next door (west) and the railway is immediately to the east. Mature trees are present along the southern elevation and along the railway line to the east. The building has a shallow-pitched roof, with existing fenestration retained on all elevations. No dedicated parking is provided for the development; daytime on-street parking is available on a time-limited basis.”

“PLANNING HISTORY 3.1 18/01303/FUL Change of use from vacant shop to holiday let accommodation (upper floor). This was not implemented. 20.06.2018 3.2 23/05759/FUL Change of use from shop to holiday letting accommodation (upper floor). This has now been implemented. 07.03.2024 3.3 25/00375/ENF Unauthorised change of use to the lower shop to short term letting 17.02.2026 4.”

“As the building is currently vacant, the proposed change of use to short-term holiday accommodation would bring the property back into active use and contribute positively to the vitality of the town centre. The introduction of visitor accommodation would increase footfall within Kyle town centre and support surrounding commercial and retail premises, thereby contributing to local economic activity.”

“The proposal would contribute positively to the local economy, with its nature and scale being appropriate to the established character of the site and the wider town centre. The property benefits from a highly accessible location, with shops, retail premises, services, and public transport all within convenient walking distance. As such, the proposed use is well integrated with surrounding facilities and services.”

“Concern that adjoining waste are being utilised Planning Officer (PO) response: Waste and recycling will be used as existing, to be collected from the kerbside presentation point as shown on the submitted plans. All letters of representation are available for inspection via the Council’s eplanning portal which can be accessed through the internet https://www.highland.gov.uk/planning/view-comment-planning-applications. 5.”

“In addition, the means of access to the property is via a narrow passageway and a set of steep steps located between two buildings. This constrained arrangement limits ease of entry and exit and is considered to result in restricted access to the accommodation. Scottish Water: no objection to the planning application. Environmental Health: no objection in principle to the application.”

“The access to the property via a narrow passageway and steep steps between the two buildings and is therefore making entrance and egress limited and restricted. Planning Officer (PO) response: Access to the proposed lower-floor unit is taken from the north elevation, where it connects directly to the existing public footpath. The access comprises a flight of steps, followed by a small…”

“The need for traffic management plan for Kyle was emphasised and the Senior Engineer – Project Design Unit, undertook to raise this with the Council’s Roads’ Team as an operational matter and to report back to Committee in due course.”

“The Committee AGREED: i. to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions detailed in the report; and ii. to escalate the request for a Traffic Management Plan for Kyle for consideration by the Roads’ Team. LM 7.10 Applicant: [name withheld]. (”

“The development to which this planning permission relates must commence within THREE YEARS of the date of this decision notice. If development has not commenced within this period, then this planning permission shall lapse. Reason: In accordance with Section 58 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended). 2.”

“Reason: To ensure that the development does not become used for permanent residential occupation in recognition of the lack of private amenity and internal building standards compliant space, and in accordance with the use applied for.”