Blow for Thurso seafront hotel plans
LONG-time plans for a £7 million upmarket hotel overlooking Thurso Bay have suffered a setback after local councillors raised concerns about the prospective loss of the view out to sea.
While not against the scheme, they do not want the proposed development at Pennyland built on the seaward side of the main road.
Raymond Taylor, the man behind the project, is dismayed by the decision taken at a meeting of Highland Council’s Caithness area committee on Wednesday.
He said: “I am still very keen to go ahead with this project, but there will be delays because of this decision.
“I am in the dark until Highland Council lets me know where this leaves me and the development.”
Mr Taylor claims the hotel would be a £7 million investment in the town, create between 65 and 70 jobs and be a boost to the tourist industry. He says it would also benefit visitors on the very popular North Coast 500 tourist route.
The proposed project would also include a multi-purpose public park on two fields between Thurso campsite and the Weigh Inn Hotel.
The councillors took issue with the impact the hotel plan would have on the site and the views across the bay, during a discussion of the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan.
Thurso councillor Donnie Mackay stressed he was not against the hotel plan but thought it was in the wrong location. He said it could be accommodated on land on the other side of the road.
Newly appointed Caithness civic leader Gillian Coghill also expressed concern about the site and felt it should be safeguarded.
She said: “I am not against development in Thurso but feel we should preserve that vista. We had a lot of representations on this and that is what we have been asked to do.”
As a result, the plan will have to be modified and further consultation undertaken on the controversial hotel proposal.
Mr Taylor claims the view over the bay would be largely unaffected and said the councillors’ decision would cause a further delay of around six months.
He said: “It seems the councillors would much prefer a substandard hotel out by the business park, which would be a mile-and-a-half from the town centre.”
Full story in today's Groat.