25-pitch motorhome campsite at Campsite Clachan Sands Lochmaddy Isle Of North Uist
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Western Isles Planning Applications Board on 6 May 2025.
What was proposed
The application proposed a 25-pitch motorhome campsite, facilities building, access improvements, parking, infrastructure and associated services.
“Description of development 5.3 The proposed development is for the change of use of land to a campsite with capacity for 25 motorhome pitches. The application also includes the construction of a facilities building and infrastructure and installation of services associated with the proposed use.”
“The development includes an upgraded main access track from the public road and a separate area of parking for day visitors, in addition to parking spaces provided for campsite users adjacent to the proposed facilities building. The existing footpath access to the beach would be maintained.”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The site is a 1.06-hectare coastal machair area beside Clachan Sands, with farmland, a cemetery, nearby homes and protected natural areas.
“The site comprises predominantly consolidated sandy soil with machair grass vegetation. The land rises up from the cattle grid entrance to the south east of the site, with the access track passing between areas of higher land, before gradually falling away again.”
“The site would continue to be accessed from the public road to the east of the site, which also serves the nearby cemetery and the old cemetery. The site has no immediate neighbouring buildings, with the nearest dwellings being situated closer to the junction with the main B893 (Trumisgarry to Berneray) road, with one dwelling also located adjacent to the proposed means of access to the site.”
Officer report
What consultees said
Scottish Water and roads officers raised no objections, while NatureScot sought conditions to address designated habitats and responsible access.
“Scottish Water 9.2 Scottish Water has no objection to the planning application. There is a public water supply in the area but no public wastewater infrastructure. There are no Scottish Water drinking water catchments or water abstraction sources designated as Drinking Water Protected Areas in the area affected by the proposal.”
“NatureScot 9.3 Summary • North Uist Machair & Islands SPA and North Uist Machair SAC - This proposal could be progressed with appropriate changes. However, because it could affect internationally important natural heritage interests, we object to this proposal unless it is made subject to conditions detailed in our appraisal.”
Officer report
The committee decision
The committee approved the planning application subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.
“It was agreed to approve the planning application subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the Report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Western Isles Planning Applications Board minutes, 6 May 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Western Isles's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Western Isles
- Date
- Tuesday 6 May 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Western Isles committee decisions →