APPENDIX 3 “Wheelhouse” Camp Site and Self Catering Airigh Mhic Ruairidh Traigh Bhalaigh 1 Design Statement Revised September 2012 Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 Contents Title Page Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 2 Why Develop Wheelhouse at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh? 6 Location 7 Sustainable Development of a natural resource 8 The avoidance of significant detrimental effect on natural and built heritage resources 9 Social and Economic benefits arising 10 Ownership, Constraints, Site Description, Surrounding Buildings, Archaeology, Otters 11 Site Development 12 Buildings, Services 13 Guidance 14 Proposed Plan – Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan 15 Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 Executive Summary Wheelhouse at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh, North Uist will provide a unique, hut and canvas camping experience, as well as self catering accommodation for visitors exploring the Western Isles. The 3.24 hectare site on the shore, overlooking the Island of Vallay, has been specifically chosen to sympathetically, sensitively and sustainably utilize the considerable natural, cultural and heritage resources of the area. Its location will meet the locational demand for accommodation created by the Hebridean Trail cycle and foot path which passes close by and from independent travellers exploring 3 the island. Visit Scotland market research and the applicant’s own extensive qualitative market research has identified demand for unique, original, sustainable low impact experiential holidays. This very low density development has been designed to have a minimum impact on the natural and built heritage resource. Natural land forms, earth mounding and the careful siting of buildings will make the development almost invisible from the A865 road. Accommodation will take three distinct, sustainable and innovative forms: Hebhuts – fully weatherproofed and insulated timber clad, turf roofed sleeping huts for two people, providing a contemporary take on the Hebridean cupboard bed. Canvas and Yurt camping – a limited number of traditional canvas camping pitches and two yurt style tents for couples or families. The camp and hut site will be serviced by communal living/cooking and toilet/shower roundhouses and will provide the privacy and adventure of wild camping but the weather protection and security of hostelling. Self Catering Roundhouses – Two self contained timber clad, straw bale insulated, turf roofed contemporary roundhouses, sustainably built to high ecological standards which owe their design to the Iron Age heritage of North Uist’s “Wheelhouse Coast”. We have been pleased to note that, at the end of the Planning Approval Determination Deadline of 17th August 2012, there have been no objections from consultees or the public. The Comhairle’s present structure plan states that the Comhairle wishes to promote investment and economic activity that strengthens the Western Isles economy in a sustainable manner, develop strategies based on the sustainable use of the islands’ resources and view job creation positively through a flexible approach to land use – this application does all of this. The vision of the new local development plan, is to promote realistic long term growth with sustainable land use and regard for the environment while making the Western Isles a successful place to work, where the islands’ outstanding natural, built and cultural heritage will be valued by both residents and visitors – this application demonstrates the applicant’s commitment to this vision. At full occupancy for a six month season with 50 guests the site has the potential to generate income of £600,000 into the local economy and direct employment for 3 people on site, a further 3 if the applicants additional ventures come to fruition and indirect employment elsewhere in the islands. The applicant, Duncan Griffiths, has been visiting the Islands with his family for the last 12 years and he currently owns and manages two highly successful self catering houses in the Balemartin area of North Uist. This development will allow Duncan and his family to move to North Uist and redevelop the derelict Baleloch House into their home. Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 Introduction Wheelhouse campsite and self catering will provide visitors, to the North West Coast of North Uist, with a unique and sustainable low impact, low density and environmentally friendly holiday experience in this remote, beautiful and relatively undiscovered part of the UK. The vision for Wheelhouse at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh is twofold: For the guest: 4 To provide high quality, affordable and accessible accommodation in sustainably built, low impact eco camping huts, which combine the freedom and privacy of wild camping with the security and facilities of hostelling. To provide a unique, safe and regulated canvas camping experience. To provide high quality, accessible and unique low impact self catering units in contemporary roundhouses which reflect the Neolithic heritage of the area. To educate and inform guests about the natural and cultural heritage resources of the surrounding environment and coastline of North Uist. For the North Uist and Western Isles community: To provide economic and employment opportunities in the North West region of North Uist to help catalyse a buoyant and diverse economy. To value, safeguard and enhance the natural and cultural heritage resources and environment of the surrounding coastline of North Uist. To minimise environmental impact whilst generating economic and year round benefits for the community. To develop a business model that can be replicated in other regions of the Western Isles. The development has been designed and incorporates all relevant recommendations of the Comhairle’s “Outer Hebrides Design Guide”. The applicant, Duncan Griffiths is committed to relocating to North Uist, and has already proven track record in developing tourism facilities in the area. He is well known and has many friends and contacts in North Uist. Duncan has a background in education and in recent years has combined this career with owning, rebuilding and managing two highly successful self catering holiday houses in the Balemartin area of North Uist. Duncan and his family have been visiting the Islands regularly for the last 12 years and he has managed his self catering business for 4 years. In the near future Duncan intends to renovate his derelict house at Baleloch, above Loch Hosta, into a three bedroom family home. Duncan’s self catering units have both averaged 36 weeks occupancy per year since opening and have strong provisional bookings for 2013 and a high number of returners. Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 These houses can be seen on the following links: The Doctor’s Bothy, Baleloch http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/westcoast/outerhebrides/the_doctors_bothy Lochside, Hosta http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/sites/cottages4you/pages/PropertyDetails_C.aspx?QS=3E0F3DCD- 5 882D-4738-9E61-B90EA3C005F2~C~24755~~216~GBP~~0~~A~N~~5dc25b38-25bb-4153-8883- 8d45e3e08f80~28701~0~0~~~Y~N~ Both houses were built/rebuilt after extensive market research and designed specifically for self catering – both feature many sustainable and unique characteristics. The Doctor’s Bothy was featured in the national press in two Sunday Time’s top 50 places lists and a full feature article in the Sunday Observer. This can be seen on the following link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jun/27/hebrides-north-uist-eco-holiday The houses have been built using local labour, local contractors and using building materials from local suppliers. The houses are serviced by a local caretaker/cleaner and resourced by local businesses. The applicant estimates that the local economy has benefitted from this investment by upwards of £250,000. The hut, canvas campsite and self catering units at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh are being developed to capitalise on the skills and knowledge he has acquired in the last 12 years, his success with the holiday houses, to diversify his portfolio, to offer an alternative accommodation type on the island and to meet the demand from the growing niche market of challenge, heritage and eco tourism in this beautiful and relatively undiscovered area of North Uist. The site has been designed and business plan written after considerable market research. It is intended that the campsite will be marketed to walkers and cyclists (challenge tourists) touring the islands independently, those interested in sustainability and those who just want a simple, low cost, low impact holiday sampling the best the Hebrides has to offer with the facilities of a hostel but the freedom and privacy of wild camping. It will offer eco - self catering in the two self catering roundhouses, short term and package accommodation in both its huts and canvas pitches. The location has also been specifically chosen: for its proximity to the proposed Western Isles Cycle and walking path, for the beautiful views and the numerous sustainable, sporting, heritage and cultural activities available in the area, and for practical considerations: as being equidistant to the ferry ports and other accommodation providers and the shelter provided by the terrain for camping. There is no provision on the site for touring caravans or campervans as we believe this is a completely separate market and not one we wish to develop. Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel.