An application to build a detached house just outside Inverness from which to manage a proposed alpaca farm was rejected yesterday by Highland councillors, as “speculative”.
The application was submitted by Andrew Reid, proposing the construction of a house at the ruined cottage, Lower Muckovie in Inshes, from which to manage the establishment and growth of an alpaca farm.
At present, demonstrated need for a house to support an existing agricultural enterprise can provide an exemption from the council’s presumption against single house construction close to Inverness.
South Planning committee chair Jimmy Gray said that while the committee had no concerns over the design of the house or the business plan, Mr Reid owns neither the livestock nor the surrounding land proposed for the alpaca farm.
Mr Gray said: “The advice from the agricultural consultant is that there is not justification to have someone on site for this enterprise at this particular time.
“This individual isn’t in agriculture, he wants to get in, he doesn’t need to be housed on the land. It could lead to a situation where the applicant doesn’t have alpacas, it’s a highly speculative application.”
Inverness South councillor Carolyn Caddick said: “It seems to me this is speculative application, with view to building a house in nice location with possibility of alpaca farm growing around it. We shouldn’t be setting a dangerous precedent for something not compliant with the local plan.”
Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie failed to garner support when he said he believed the agricultural exemption was justified, and the application was refused.