An appeal has been lodged against the planning refusal to build a student halls’ complex in Stornoway.
Planning councillors rejected a bid to erect a 60 room complex plus a 65 space carpark opposite the council offices on Sandwick Road.
The hostel would double up as tourist accommodation in the summer.
A recently constructed shared temporary accommodation hostel and an existing hotel flank the site.
Developer Cityheart wanted to construct a “L” shaped complex for students studying at the Lews Castle College.
The application was thrown out because councillors said it went against the local development plan by introducing a residential use beside the existing Newton commercial and industrial area.
That meant future residents would be legally entitled to complain about noise coming
from the nearby industrial and transport depots -
Cityheart has appealed saying noise levels would be reduced to acceptable levels by fitting acoustic glazing to the windows overlooking the Newton area.
In addition, installing a mechanical ventilation system would allow windows to remain closed.
An intervening buffer of land landscaped with earthen mounds and planted with trees was also proposed.
The college points out it took advice from the comhairle’s own officials and the Sandwick Road site was “deemed to meet the current location requirements.”
Finding a location for student halls in Stornoway has been difficult.
A shortlist of two sites was chosen out including the former bakery on Stag Road, and the mothballed British Legion building.
The British Legion was the council’s favoured option, however due to fragmented ownership it was not possible to buy the site.
Last year planning permission was turned down for an application to construct a four-
Potential sites were looked at again including further but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to secure the British Legion.
Other options were the former Customs House in Quay Street. However this was considered too small to accommodate the development.
Bid to overturn student hostel refusal
10 January 2018