Design & Access Statement Falls of Shin Visitor Centre by Lairg
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Design & Access Statement Falls of Shin Visitor Centre By Lairg Sutherland IV27 4EE May 2015 Project Team Contents Client: Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust Valerie Houston 1.0 Introduction The Trust Office, Dornoch Road 2.0 Site Bonar Bridge, IV24 3EB 3.0 Site Ownership 01863 766 554 4.0 Vision Statement Architect & Principle Designer: CH Architecture 5.0 Option Appraisal Catriona Hill 6.0 Brief The Trust Office, Dornoch Road 7.0 Design Concept Bonar Bridge, IV24 3EB 8.0 Design Development 0792 988 6105 9.0 Layout and Design Principles Project Manager & QS: WSD 10.0 Access Gary Wilson & Ewan Macgregor 11.0 Project Aims Duncan House, Wester Inshes Place 12.0 Visitor Profile Inverness, IV2 5HZ 01463 717345 13.0 Comparison with other local attractions 14.0 Transport Statement Structural Engineer: Fairhurst 15.0 Drainage Impact Assessment Derek Thomson 16.0 Building Services & Structure Etive House, Beechwood Business Park Inverness, IV2 3BW 17.0 Sustainability, Waste and Recycling 01463 724 544 18.0 Landscape Design and Open Space 19.0 Outdoor Natural Play Area Building Services: CDMM (UK) Limited 20.0 Interpretation, Public Art, Wayfinding and Signage Neil Macrae, Gregor Campbell 36 Longman Drive 21.0 Operation, Maintenance & Secured by Design Inverness, IV1 1SU 22.0 Public Consultation 01463 729 637 Drainage & Environmental Consultants: JIG Gordon Millar 23 Westminster Terrace, Glasgow, G3 7RU 0141 221 4747 Funding Partners: Big Lottery, HIE Site Address: Falls of Shin By Lairg, Sutherland, IV27 4EE Falls of Shin Design and Access Statement 1.0 Introduction Summary This Design and Access Statement is a supporting document The community is located approximately one hour’s drive north to accompany the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust’s of Inverness on the inland stretch of the Kyle of Sutherland and planning application for a new visitor centre by the Falls of Shin. includes Creich and Ardgay & District Community Councils. The proposal seeks permission to build a new cafe, shop and The A9, Highland Council’s main transport artery, is located 10 interpretation area around a new outdoor plaza to replace the miles to the east and bypasses the area via the Dornoch Bridge previous facility which was destroyed by fire in 2013. which means that traffic passing through the area is minimal. As such, the communities are considerably more isolated than one Highland Council Guidance on Design & Access might have imagined and as a result have been recognised as Statements requiring additional support by Statutory Agencies. KoSDT is A design and access statement is a document which explains account managed by Highland & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and is the design rational and thought process which has lead to a final supported by the local wind farm benefit funds and a range of design. The purpose of the document is to help demonstrate other funders. that the context has been fully appraised and the final design is the most suitable solution for the site. It also includes a A priority of KoSDT is to oversee the implementation of a local explanation of the access issues in order to show that the development plan. Focusing on strengthening and uniting the needs of all users, particularly those with disabilities, have been local community through a range of projects. These include, incorporated into the design process. increasing leisure and outdoor activities available to residents and visitors, supporting local businesses and industries including The Falls of Shin Site tourism, fishing and food production and increasing education The Falls of Shin is a waterfall on the river Shin which provides a and training opportunities for the residents of the Kyle of spectacular opportunity to watch wild salmon leaping upstream Sutherland. to spawn. Adjacent to the waterfall was a popular visitor centre which was sadly destroyed by fire in 2013. The closure of the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust is a Registered Company Kyle of Sutherland Location attraction has had a severe effect on the local economy and SC401019 and Scottish Charity SCO43587. there is wide support to redevelop the site. The Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT) are Big Lottery Funding currently in the process of purchasing the site and intend to A Stage 1 application has been successfully approved by the develop the new facility on behalf of the community. Big Lottery and, depending on the outcome of this planning application, a Stage 2 application will be made for funding for the The Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust majority of the build budget. KoSDT was set up in 2011 with the aim to strengthen and unite the community in the Kyle of Sutherland. The Trust is governed Supplementary funding is currently being identified and it is by a Board Directors and is run by a Development Manager, hoped that a full funding strategy will be in place in order to Helen Houston, with the assistance of a project officer and enable the project to commence on site in 2016. administrator. The board of directors include Peter Campbell (Chair), Claire Bruce, Marion Turner, Rauridh Waugh, Posy Macrae, David Mackay, Andy Wright and John Morrison. The Falls of Shin Salmon Leap Falls of Shin Design and Access Statement 2.0 Site Location The Falls of Shin are located by the B864, on the river Shin, approximately 6 miles north west of Bonar Bridge and 5 miles south of Lairg. The river Shin is one of four tributaries which feed the Kyle of Sutherland and is a well known beauty spot renowned for salmon fishing. Site Summary The site immediately associated with the building is 0.761 hectares. The wider site, including the carpark owned by Highland Council, is approximately 1.4 hectares. Access to the site is via a single track Local Authority adopted road with passing places. Site History The Falls of Shin provide a unique opportunity to watch wild salmon leaping and proximity of the falls to the road make it unparalleled in terms of accessibility. Map showing location of the Falls of Shin in East Sutherland Former Visitor Centre The site has an established history as a tourist attraction. The first facility, built on the east side of the road, was a small timber In the aftermath of the fire a working group was set up to building housing a small tea room and postcard shop. to steer the redevelopment of the site. During this process Balnagown Estate clarified that they intended to focus their In 1990 a new facility was built on the west side of the road resources on developing a different site rather than rebuilding which included a café and shop and became established for the facility at the Falls of Shin. offering quality food and gifts in an outdoor setting. As the project evolved it became clear that it would be more In 2002 Balnagown Estate purchased the site bestowing the sensible for the community, represented by KoSDT, to take over Harrods identity upon the retail outlet and the venue flourished ownership of the site. KoSDT are currently in the process of as a result. When Harrods was sold by the Al Fayed family in purchasing the site from Balnagown Estate with the support of 2010, the brand association between Balnagown Estate, The Falls the HIE. of Shin and Harrods was removed and as a result the facility struggled to find a new identity. Balnagown Estates and the Highland Council have continued to maintain the landscaping so that visitors can use the car In May of 2013 a fire broke out at the visitor centre and park and visit the salmon leap. Unfortunately the storm on 8th completely destroyed the building. The site was subsequently January 2015 affected the woodlands and access is temporarily cleared and is now level and vacant. restricted whilst the fallen trees are removed and the paths repaired. The aftermath of the fire in May 2013 Falls of Shin Design and Access Statement 3.0 Site Ownership North Site Ownership to Lairg Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, supported by the HIE, are currently in the process of purchasing the land associated with the building from Balnagown Estate. Key 1. Former building 2. Former cabin The wider extent of the site is owned by a number of other 3. Former terrace parties which has been summarised in the adjacent plan. 4. Former outside seating area 5. Sewage treatment tank 1 1 . 6. Existing BBQ hut B864 7. Incoming power (tbc) ditch It should be pointed out that this drawing has been based 8. Incoming water (tbc) drainage 9. Temporary sign boards route on plans provided by Balnagown Estate, Highland Council 10. Deliveries layby indicative 1 1 . Drainage ditch 5. and Forestry Commission and is intended as a guide to the 12. Disabled parking 13. General parking 7. 8. ownership of the land. It should not be used for legal purposes. 14. Coach parking 15. Play park area 16. Mini golf 1. 2. The wider extent of the site including the car park and former 17. Car port structure 18. Forestry walks 3. play ground is owned by Highland Council. The surrounding 19. Path to waterfall 10. 20. Waterfall woodland is owned by the Forestry Commission and the 21. Road 4. riparian rights lie with the Douglas Millar Family. 12. 20. 21. Stakeholders 16. A group of stakeholders continues to meet on a quarterly basis. 6. The attendees include; 19. River Shin Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust 9. Highland Council Highlands & Islands Enterprise 9. Forestry Commission Highlands & Islands Enterprise 15. (Playpark 14. equipment Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries removed off site sfter fire) Visit Scotland 13. Key Other interested parties include; 14. Extent of site relevant to planning application (currently being purchased by Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust Douglas Miller Family from Balnagown Estate) 0.761 hectares Communities of Criech, Ardgay & District and Lairg Extent of land in same ownership 19.