New visitor centre plans for Loch Garten approved, static caravans stances at Grannie’s Heilan Hame and energy storage facility

By Sean McAngus

September 12 2022, 11:45 am

The demolition of existing toilets and new visitor hub is proposed at RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre near Nethy Bridge.

Welcome to our weekly round-up of planning news across the Highlands.

The region’s planners have approved the demolition of existing toilets and visitor hub at RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre to make way for new facilities.

An energy storage facility is being proposed on the outskirts of Nairn.

And owners at the well-loved Grannie’s Heilan Hame caravan site in Sutherland are looking to add more stances to give a much-needed tourism boost.

Read on for more details.

SUBMITTED: Energy storage facility

An application has been submitted for the construction and operation of an energy storage facility on Nairn farmland.

It is a method of keeping National Grid excess energy in reserve until it is needed.

This facility will consist of up to 50 battery storage units in containers, a connection building, a site office and a store.

The building will be on farmland to the south of Househill on the outskirts of Nairn.

Land where the battery storage is proposed outside Nairn.

The Energy Workshop is representing whirlwind Energy Storage Limited.

This firm is looking for consent for up to 50 years which reflects the anticipated operational life of the project.

A planning statement said: “The purpose of the project is to import and store electricity from the electricity grid when there is an excess of generation, and then export this again when there is a potential shortfall.

“This ‘grid balancing service’ helps to deliver decarbonisation as it, effectively, reduces the degree to which renewable generation needs to be ‘curtailed’ (turned off) by helping to store excess generation, and then subsequently exports this power when it is required, reducing the need to source power from fossil fuel sources.”

SUBMITTED: Static caravans stance at Sutherland site

Parkdean Holiday Parks Limited wants to add 21 static caravan stances at Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame park in Embo.

The application has been lodged by Avison Young on behalf of the firm for the change of use of the land.

It has previously been used for 35 stances with electric hook-up points for tents and touring caravans.

In 2020, the park welcomed around 20,000 visitors.

The Parkdean ‘Grannie’s Heilan Hame’ holiday park at Embo in Sutherland.

In a planning statement, the operator said: “The application site mostly comprises closely mown amenity grassland which currently accommodates 35 stances with electric hook-up points for tents/touring caravans and additional areas for pitching
of tents.

“The proposal is proportionate to its location, the surrounding holiday park and wider
settlement, it will increase guests’ length of stay, increase visitor spending and promote a wider spread of visitors.”

Layout for more caravans at Grannies Heilan Hame.

APPROVED: New facilities at RSPB site

The demolition of existing toilets and visitor hub will take place at RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre near Nethy Bridge.

But don’t worry – the popular spot isn’t losing out – quite the opposite. Plans have been approved to build a new changing room, toilets and a visitor hub.