Ardgay Game seeks planning permission for static caravans after struggling to find accommodation for new workers
A growing Sutherland business is looking to house new workers in static caravans after struggling to find accommodation locally.
Ardgay Game, which has a meat processing plant at South Bonar Industrial Estate, is taking on more workers after winning a £1.5million new contract from Forestry and Land Scotland.
The company, which currently employs 24 workers, is expecting a 33 per cent increase in production due to the contract win.
It is looking to fill two full-time posts and nine seasonal positions immediately, with the likelihood of taking on a further nine staff in 2025.
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But the company said it had “proved impossible” to find accommodation in Bonar Bridge and the surrounding area, and it is now seeking a three-year temporary planning consent to site static caravans in a field next to its factory.
In a submission to Highland Council planners, Ardgay Game says: “It has proved impossible (to find accommodation) due to the simple lack of available properties coupled with the inflated costs of short-term rentals due to the impact of Airbnb on the holiday let market.
“The financial appeal of this business model to private landlords over longer-term rentals has had a serious impact on available properties right across the Highlands.”
“To allow the business to continue to grow, it is proposed to house seasonal staff in dedicated caravans located adjacent to the Ardgay Game facility.”
The caravans will be sited following the existing “building line” of the fire station, the Kyle of Sutherland Hub, and the Ardgay Game factory.
It is proposed to create a pedestrian access from the rear of an Openreach building straight into the Ardgay Game site. A new altered vehicle access from the A836 and a 25-space car park are also proposed.
A timber fence will screen the caravans from the public highway.
Highland Transport Planning Team has asked Ardgay Game for more information and said: “Unfortunately, there is insufficient road-related information submitted with the application to allow the Transport Planning Team to provide any comment at this time.”
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