LDRSCouncillors in Orkney have overturned a planning decision which saw plans for glamping pods in Finstown stopped in their tracks.
The planning department’s decision was brought to councillors on the local review committee this morning.
The committee visited the site, at land near 6 Seafield, this morning. The site is currently used as a builders yard.
The committee unanimously stated that they would overturn the original decision and approve the plans. The decision may now go to Scottish Ministers.
Plans previously refused because of flood risk concerns from Sepa
The plans had originally been refused due to flood risk concerns from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
This was on the grounds that the location could mean that flooding could impede safe evacuation from the site, and failed to avoid the principle of avoiding development in areas which have a “significant probability of being affected by flooding.”
Notably, some of the stated risks related to future sea level change and a one-in-ten-year flooding event.
As such, the plans clashed with national policy, Sepa and the council’s planning department said.
The plan’s applicant, Calum Kirkness, issued a lengthy reply criticising the decision.
He claimed there are “growing concerns” among residents in Orkney that the council’s planning department is “finding reasons to refuse” and “interprets planning policy in a way that favours refusal”, rather than supporting applications.
Mr Kirkness also said, “certain applicants appear to sail through the process when their face fits”.
Could Finstown glamping pods bring more money into the community?
During the committee meeting, councillors drew a particular comparison with another planning application.
In June, the planning committee had approved an application for 15 flats at Kirkwall’s Great Western Road, despite it facing the similar objections from Sepa.
Today, Lindsay Hall asked if the decision to refuse the glamping pods would also “go against” the approval of the flats. He said it put the committee at risk of being “not consistent”.
The chairman of the committee, councillor Owen Tierney spoke in favour of the approving the plans, as “someone who has lived his whole life looking down on this site”.
He said: “There seems to be no difference in sea levels. And yet, the government advice we got at the end of last year suggested that over the last 50 years, they have increased by 400mm.
“This is completely at odds with an Orkney context.
Mr Tierney claimed that the site has “never been overtopped by the sea”, in his personal experience.
He also said the benefits of the project would outweigh any flood risk.
As the plans would see the level of the site raised, councillors said this would in fact help prevent flooding there.
Councillor Leslie Manson said there is “an element of overtopping that any community has to accept”.
He also said the glamping pods would be a “boon to the community” in Finstown.
Councillors considered each of the concerns raised by Sepa, ultimately concluding that planning permission should be granted.
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