A plan for new student flats in Stornoway, which was welcomed by the leader of Western Isles Council, is opposed by the local authority’s own planners.
Lews Castle College’s bid for a four-storey block of 45 en-suite bedrooms on the site of the former bakery at Stag Road, Bayhead, Stornoway, is recommended for refusal.
Students were to move into the clusters of six bedroom flats plus four studio apartments after August 2017.
Western Isles Council leader, Angus Campbell, previously welcomed the new initiative as an “excellent opportunity” to develop an university town in Stornoway.
At the time he said: “Our council and local partners are committed to work together to build on the facilities available locally to attract people to study, train, live and work in our islands and the new accommodation helps us all to build on the theme of “Stornoway – a University Town.”
Lews Castle College principal, Iain Macmillan, said it was “one of the most exciting developments” for the Western Isles in many years which would boost the local economy, develop the college and university, and encouraging more people to come to the islands to live, work, study and carry out research.
But 11 people lodged objections over inappropriate design, the scale and mass of the building, the lack of parking, effect on neighbouring amenity problems during the construction phase and the potential for nuisance from students.
Many back the idea of having university accommodation within the town but feel the specific modern design is too controversial and overwhelms the traditional street.
A planning report highlighted the proposals are against the Outer Hebrides local development plan mainly due to its design, scale, form and large size.
Planners say the proposal should be rejected after assessing the planned building will “not contribute positively” to the character of the surrounding area nor the neighbouring conservation area.
Councillors are due to debate the plans next week.