House with access and parking at 17C Valtos Uig Isle Of Lewis, Valtos

“Background 5.1 This Report relates to an application for Planning Permission in Principle, registered as valid on 19 May 2025, for a house site on croftland at 17 Valtos, Uig, Isle of Lewis.”

“Description of development 5.3 This application seeks planning permission in principle to erect a house, with the implicit requirements for vehicular access, parking, and associated external curtilage.”

“Description of site and its context 5.5 The application site extends to approximately 0.17ha (approx. 0.4 acres). The application site is located at the end of a side-road within the rural settlement of Valtos, in the district of Uig. The landscape of the site and surroundings is classed as Dispersed Crofting Landscape Character type. The site itself is uneven grassland with rocky outcrops.”

“The site is not within any areas designated for species or habitat. The site is within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area (NSA). There are no other constraints relating to the nature and location of the development such as aviation concerns or flood risk.”

“Scottish Water 9.2 Scottish Water has no objection to the planning application. They note the following: there is currently sufficient capacity in the Uig Water Treatment Works to service the development. The proposed development is within the Valtos Waste Water Treatment Works catchment. Single house developments are required to submit a Waste Water Application via the Scottish Water Customer Portal.”

“Comhairle Archaeology Service 9.4 The Archaeology Service put forth comment advising they do not have any concerns with this application. However, they used the opportunity to point out that there are extensive remains of former structures adjacent to the southeastern side of the assumed croft boundary, close to the coastal edge ask that an advisory note by appended to any consent noting the existing ruins are an important part of the historic environment of Valtos and…”

“- The development would set an unacceptable precedent for development by reason of its siting in the open foreshore. Approval could lead to similar unsuitable developments along the coast of a scenic area. - Negative impact on National Scenic Area. - The application will lead to the loss of croft land. The proposed development will remove another piece of crofting land making it unavailable to future generations.”

“- Drainage issues – the proposed development proposes to connect to the area foul water treatment tank – new house would be too much to be supported by the current drainage and would disrupt existing drainage patterns. The house is planned adjacent to the village septic tank - will the development ensure this will not be compromised? - Impact on local history – no.”

“It is considered that the proposed planning permission in principle for the development of a single house with associated access and ancillary development within the Rural Settlement of Valtos accords with the development strategy of the OHLDP and NPF4 Policy 17 – Rural Homes. The proposed house should be conditioned to ensure the siting and design are such that they would not harm the reasonable amenities of neighbours.”

“Subject to conditions set out in Appendix 1 to this Report, it is concluded that the proposal accords with the Development Plan.”

“The Chief Planning Officer submitted a Report concerning a planning application to erect a house and associated access, parking and infrastructure on croftland at 17C Valtos, Uig, Isle of Lewis. The Report indicated that the application had been subject to more than six representation and was therefore, in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation, referred to the Board for determination.”

“It was agreed to approve the planning application subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the Report.”