Permission for sheds by ancient monument 16/9/14
Planning permission for three poultry sheds which raised six objections has been granted by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Hector Murray applied to locate the hen houses at the shoreline of 1 Bunavoneadar in Harris, near the historic Bunavoneadar whaling station, a scheduled ancient monument.
Objections raised included making access to the whaling station difficult for tourists, as well as the proposal having negative impact on the landscape and water environment, the potential of avian flu and road safety issues if any hens escaped.
Advice from environment protection body, SEPA, determined the small scale of the development would not have any significant affect against the local biodiversity and ecological interest.
Historic Scotland said it did not consider the impact on the whaling station to be significant.
Council planners agreed that the poultry sheds were complementary to the agricultural use of the croft land and to the rural setting.
Comhairle members passed the application and granted planning permission.