Locals object to proposed campervan site at Auckengill and say loop road is 'unsuitable' for the increased traffic

A planning application for a new campervan and caravan site at Auckengill has raised strong objections from people in the area who have concerns over road safety and access.

The development proposal – lodged with Highland Council on June 4 with the applicant named as Andrew Forrest – consists of the forming of a new campervan and caravan site on land at the Auckengill loop and the building of a new bungalow for the applicant to live in.

Scottish Water had no objections to the plan but stated: "Unfortunately, according to our records there is no public Scottish Water, waste water infrastructure within the vicinity of this proposed development therefore we would advise applicant to investigate private treatment options."

However, nine people who live in the area made their feelings known over the proposal in the public comments section of the council application. Mike and Justine Pragnell, who live at Craigfield in Auckengill, posted a 1500-word objection that was published on June 24.

"We are concerned by it for several reasons, in particular the unsuitability of the access road from the main A99 to the proposed site and the highway safety issues that would result from this application being approved," it summarises at the start.

The Pragnells went on to raise questions about the access road saying it would be "impossible for vehicles to pass-by in safety" along its entire length as there is only one passing bay.

"The planning application suggests 3 other 'passing places' which are in fact the accesses to private residences and implying that these are available to be used as a further 'passing place'.

"The assumption that these private accesses are available for this purpose is inappropriate and probably quite upsetting to those property owners, and is merely an attempt to try to justify the suitability and safety of the otherwise unsuitable and unsafe suggested access road."

Mr Forrest's development proposal states that there were two previous planning applications in 2004, which was withdrawn, and in 2017 which was refused due to lack of detail.

Mr Forrest's agent states: "The applicant has gone through the pre application process and has received support for the development."

Francis Prouse submitted another objection on June 19 saying that the location map "is at least twenty years out of date" and does not show his property which was "built twenty years ago or a further five properties in the immediate area".

Jennifer Davenport who lives on the Auckengill loop submitted a comment on Jun 22 saying she did not consent to her driveway being used as a passing place by multiple heavy vehicles. She added: "The road is already in a poor state of repair, particularly where it is used by farm vehicles. There are many potholes. Additional heavy vehicles will contribute to further decline at at a more substantial rate."

Ian Ross also questioned how the increased traffic would impact upon the "potholed" loop which is "a quiet mainly residential community". "Is the council going to agree to maintain our driveway in the event of wear and tear?" he said.

A comment from Hamish and Laura Miller, submitted on Monday this week, states: "I strongly object to this proposal because the broadband and communication is very poor as it is and which would only be made accessibly worse by a large commercial campsite."

A further comment from Mrs Miller says it would only be feasible to trade from the site from May to September as "the road regularly floods and in the colder months the flood water freezes".

Mr Forrest, however, thinks that the development will "fulfil a growing demand for sites close to the NC500 route" and will help "alleviate the pressure on land and in particular unauthorised stops on roadsides and open land".

In his application he drew attention to proposals by Highland Council to open land to campervans. In a recent article we published, the council said it was taking a "constructive approach" to support businesses, community groups and landowners who wish to offer their car parks or land to address some of the pressures anticipated during the 2021 season.

A council spokesperson stated last month: "This change allows temporary use of appropriate locations for overnight stops in motorhomes without the need for formal planning permission, where it is considered safe and reasonable."

Mr Forrest said there is a rising demand for this type of development and said that "in a recent spot sample, over 50 campervans passed through Wick town centre in just one hour between 11am and noon".

He added: "The location on the Auckengill loop was chosen due to its close proximity to the A99 (NC500) and the closeness to both the tourist area of John O Groats and the main town of Wick. It was therefore viewed as an attractive and appealing location for visitors to the area."

The proposal is currently "under consideration" by Highland Council.

Related articles:

Boost for NC500 with motorhome parking proposal at Sarclet

Council eases regulations for motorhome stopover sites in Caithness

Council considers allowing overnight stays for motorhomes in its car parks

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