‘If it is going to be turned into a village, perhaps the infrastructure should be improved’: Concern over planning application for cabins at Crakaig campsite near Helmsdale
A proposal to build two small cabins at a seaside caravan and camping site in East Sutherland has sparked concerns from a community council and environmental health officials.
Alan Maclean is seeking permission to erect two units to replace existing caravans at Crakaig Loth Campsite near Helmsdale.
But Helmsdale Community Council is concerned about the piecemeal development of the seasonal campsite, despite a lack of utilities and poor road infrastructure.
The campsite, which enjoys a stunning location overlooking the North Sea, is part of the 4000-acre Crakaig Estate, owned by Michael Dudgeon.
The estate includes shooting, stalking, an arable farm, and forestry, as well as the caravan site. Mr Dudgeon has designated part of the beach to the west of Lothbeg Point as a naturist site.
Mr Maclean, who gave the address of his agent, Reynolds Architecture, Dingwall, in planning documents submitted to Highland Council, is proposing to erect two prefabricated modular units on land 340m south-east of Loth Station.
It is stated that their function is to “replace two caravans on the site” and that they would be for the applicant’s private holiday use, mainly during the summer months.
The application reads: “The drainage and water supply to the units is to be the same as the current arrangements with chemical toilets and water drums taken to the site during visits.”
Helmsdale Community Council secretary John Whitfield said at the group’s meeting earlier this month that this was the first planning application he was aware of relating to the campsite, although other cabins had already been installed there.
“There used to be a lot of semi-permanent caravans there - it became a dumping ground for caravans, but it’s getting quite developed now,” he said, adding that plots were being sold for between £10,000 and £20,000.
Mr Whitfield continued: “It seems it is being developed without any coordination - just dropping them in - and soon they will need a school and a shop!
“The junction to Craikaig with the A9 is dreadful, and if it is going to be turned into a village, perhaps the infrastructure should be improved.”
The community council has lodged an objection to the plan, stating: “Our main concern is that this and other developments are increasing the extent of permanent residential structures on the site relative to the past temporary and seasonal occupation pattern.
“As such, are utilities, access, and facilities adequate? - The A9 trunk road access for this site is difficult at the best of times. We do not believe that increases in traffic are acceptable at this already hazardous junction. Are this and existing developments in accordance with the current development plan?”
Environmental health has also raised concerns, stating: “Both dwellings have sinks, wash hand basins, showers, and toilets but there appears to be no provision for either a private water supply or connection to the public water supply.
“….The application suggests that the applicant wants planning permission for a chemical toilet, which I would not consider appropriate for fixed dwellings and would refer this back to planning along with the issues of water supply and wastewater treatment/storage.
“I would further advise that if these chalets are to be used as holiday lets, the applicant would need to obtain an appropriate licence from the Short Term Lets team within Environmental Health, and comply with their requirements before the same could be issued.”
However, Transport Scotland says it has no objections.
