The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Green light for visitor centre plan
Planning consent, subject to conditions, has been granted to The Standing Stones Trust (Urras Nan Tursachan) for alterations and extensions to the visitor centre at the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis.
The development includes an upgraded cafe, shop, and exhibition areas, a new function suite, a detached plant room, a detached public convenience building and covered bin storage.
In addition, the development will see remodelling to the centre’s existing car park, bus drop-off and lay-over bays and access roads.
No objections by consultees had been made to Western Isles Council over the proposals, but concerns relating to the potential impact of the development on the setting of the scheduled monuments of Callanish – and on the capacity and operation of the car and bus parks – remained.
The proposals had been sent to the planning applications board for a decision having been designated a “sensitive development”.
Councillors heard that the concerns were in relation to pedestrian paths and circulation routes to and through the car park and the expansion of built structures into the undeveloped land to the south of the existing building group of the centre.
The proposals had been assessed as being “acceptable in terms of the quality of design and role in place-making,” planners stated, and would not have an “undue impact” on the character of the site, wider area or landscape character, the setting of the scheduled monuments of Callanish, including Standing Stones and markers that are part of the Callanish complex.
The tourism benefits from the development were also recognised as being “a significant material consideration, given the global interest in and national importance of the Callanish Standing Stones site”.
Councillors gave the development planning consent, subject to conditions – which included measures relating to the management of the development works, archaeological assessments and management at the site.
Vice-chairman of the board, John A MacIver, welcomed the decision, saying: “This is an exciting new development which will enhance the experience of the increasing number of visitors to Callanish.”