Six-bedroom hostel at The Highland Fling Station Road Kyle, Kyle of Lochalsh

“PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 1.1 Planning permission is sought to regularise the use of a small part of the ground floor and the whole of the first floor of a building located on Station Road, within the town centre of Kyle of Lochalsh. The first-floor accommodation, which historically operated as a restaurant, has in recent years been converted to 6-bedroom hostel. The ground floor continues to operate as a restaurant, trading as The Silver Seal Café.”

“SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 The application site comprises a detached, two-storey building positioned on Station Road within the defined town centre of Kyle of Lochalsh. The ground floor of the building is in use as a restaurant (The Silver Seal Café), while the first floor has been adapted to provide hostel accommodation.”

“PLANNING HISTORY 3.1 27.02.2024 22/00286/ENF Unauthorised use of the building as accommodation Case closed, retrospective planning application submitted 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 4.1 Advertised: Unknown Neighbour Date Advertised: October 2025”

“However, the proposed development represents a change from a restaurant use to a small-scale hostel, which is considered likely to generate a lesser and more dispersed parking demand, given reduced staffing levels (2 staff members) and the likelihood of guests arriving by public transport or other sustainable modes. Transport Planning initially raised no objection in principle, subject to the submission of a Parking Appraisal and the identification of appropriate mitigation.”

“CONSULTATIONS 5.1 Development Plans initially commented that the proposal is likely to accord with the approved development plan, subject to provision of dedicated off-site parking and safe, secure and convenient cycle parking. Where off-site parking cannot be secured, a commuted sum towards local active travel infrastructure is recommended to be sought in lieu of on-site parking provision.”

“A contribution of £5,000 was suggested as an appropriate and sufficient amount. However, following further discussions and taking into account the former café use of the site, the Transport Planning Team revised their consultation response and confirmed that they raise no objection to the proposal, with no developer contribution in lieu of parking required.”

“Representation deadline: October 2025 Timeous representations: 5, including one from Kyle Community Council Late representations: None 4.2 Material considerations raised are summarised as follows: a) insufficient car parking provision within Kyle, particularly during the holiday season, and the potential impact on local businesses and disruption within the area.”

“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. Motion – [name withheld], seconded [name withheld] to defer the decision until a Traffic Management Plan for Kyle was provided. This motion was subsequently withdrawn. The Committee AGREED: KS”

“Subject to the above actions, it is recommended to GRANT the application subject to the following conditions and reasons: Within one month of the date of this planning permission, cycle parking spaces for a minimum of 4 bikes shall be provided as detailed within the Parking Appraisal submitted on 15 th December 2025 and shall thereafter be maintained for this use in perpetuity.”

“Reason: In order to reduce dependency on the private car and to encourage greater use of public transport.”