Disability pointers for Murray’s hotel
Group gives advice as Cromlix gets extension
Plans to expand twotime Wimbledon champ Sir Andy Murray’s luxury Cromlix Hotel near Dunblane will take into account concerns raised by disability campaigners.
Stirling Council planners have given the green light to proposals for a new tearoom, function suite, bar, gym and 27 extra guest rooms, incorporating a currently disused walled garden at the hotel, which the tennis ace bought for £1.8 million in 2013.
Management say the expansion will help cement the long-term sustainability of the business and increase the already 70-strong workforce, encouraging more visitors to the area for weddings and events.
However, in May this year, Robert Dick, chair of the Stirling Area Access Panel which champions accessibility for people with disabilities, said the initial plans looked “very poor” in terms of inclusive design.
In correspondence with the architects he said: “We do find the level of inclusive design for Cromlix House to be very poor, in fact unacceptable for both projects, and it seems little or no thought has been given to the needs of the disabled and elderly who visit this property and the proposed new developments.
“My wife and I recently visited Cromlix House and although we were impressed by attentive staff and excellent food, the disabled access falls far short of what is needed and you should consider the points we have listed to resolve known and future issues.”
Mr Dick added there needed to be disabled parking bays or a defined drop-off point, two unisex accessible toilets separate to a baby changing facility, and some gravel areas should be replaced by a flatter option.
He said that, while the panel empathised with the design for the walled garden glass house, none of the proposed 27 bedrooms provided accessible accommodation for wheelchair users and there seemed to be no handrails on stepped terraced area or to steps accessing the rooms. Flat, firm and level access routes, powered sliding doors, a signed Hearing Loop at reception. and clear signage and contrast were also suggested.
Council planners had said the Access Panel’s comments were not material planning considerations.
The remarks were nonetheless forwarded to the architects of the hotel plans who gave assurances the proposals would “fully comply” with the accessiblity requirements of building regulations and “where possible exceed the requirements”.
They told planners: “Two new accessible unisex WCs are proposed as part of the afternoon tea extension and these will fully comply with the accessibility requirements of the building regulations. The entrance doors to the new afternoon tea extension will open inwards and the specification will be carefully considered in terms of ease of opening. There will also be an accessible threshold/level access from the tea room doors onto the terrace.
“In terms of the proposed function room and garden rooms there are four ground floor garden rooms which have level access from the accessible parking via reception.
“The layout of the entrance to these rooms as well as their bathrooms will be carefully considered in terms of accessibility.
“There are five accessible parking spaces within 40 metres of the main entrance door to the function suite/ reception. The function room and bar both have level access onto the outside terrace.”
They added there would be handrails to all steps or change of levels and all external doors would have a clear opening width.
The architects also pledged to further review the points made and where possible improve on the current level of accessibility.
Some neighbours of the hotel had raised points about ensuring suitable routes in and out of the hotel but had added they were otherwise broadly supportive of the proposals.
Council planners have approved the application subject to conditions relating to construction traffic, provision of two additional places and extra traffic signage.
We do find the level of inclusive design for Cromlix House to be very poor ...