Isle of Skye Holiday Cabin
Location: Glendale, Isle of Skye
Approval Type: Full Planning Permission
Outcome: Granted with Conditions
Planning Authority: The Highland Council
Date Approved: February 2026
Background
The application site comprises part of the curtilage of an existing dwelling at Feriniquarrie, Glendale, on the Isle of Skye. The land lies within the North West Skye Special Landscape Area and is accessed via an existing minor road serving the applicant’s property.
The client sought full planning permission for the siting of a single-storey unit to provide short-term holiday accommodation or ancillary family accommodation. The aim was to deliver modest, tourism-related accommodation that supports the rural economy while respecting the sensitive landscape setting and neighbouring amenity.
The Proposal
The development comprised a repurposed and overclad former shipping container forming a one-bedroom unit. The structure was single storey with a flat roof and finished externally in vertically aligned natural pine boarding with a dark grey roof finish, following amendments during the application process.
The unit was designed to provide compact holiday accommodation and would connect to the existing package treatment plant serving the dwellinghouse. It was proposed to sit on screw piles or corner pad foundations to minimise ground disturbance and reduce impermeable surface coverage.
Access was to be taken from the existing shared junction with the minor road, with on-site car parking and turning space provided within the curtilage. The proposal was restricted to holiday/short-term letting use or ancillary accommodation and not for use as a permanent dwelling.
Our Approach
We prepared and managed the full planning application, supporting it with a Planning, Design and Access Report and responding proactively to matters raised during assessment.
The proposal was assessed against National Planning Framework 4 and the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. Particular attention was given to:
* Landscape impact within the Special Landscape Area
* Design quality and siting in a rural context
* Surface water drainage and SUDS compliance
* Foul drainage connection to the existing treatment plant
* Neighbour amenity and separation distances
* Biodiversity enhancement requirements
During processing, we coordinated an amendment to the elevational treatment to introduce vertical natural timber cladding, strengthening the proposal’s landscape integration. We also addressed a third-party objection relating to drainage by clarifying the regulatory roles of Building Standards and SEPA, and by accepting a planning condition requiring SUDS-compliant surface water drainage.
Conditions were agreed covering landscaping for biodiversity enhancement, surface water drainage details, parking provision, restriction of occupancy, and control over the specific unit approved.
The Outcome
The application was approved under delegated powers by The Highland Council in February 2026.
The Council concluded that the proposal accords with the Development Plan and would not adversely affect the qualities of the North West Skye Special Landscape Area. The scale, siting, and recessive materials were considered appropriate within the rural context, and adequate separation safeguarded neighbouring amenity.
Permission was granted subject to conditions, including:
* Commencement within three years
* Submission and implementation of a biodiversity-led landscaping scheme
* SUDS-compliant surface water drainage details
* Restriction to holiday/short-term let or ancillary accommodation only
* Limitation to the specific approved unit
* Completion of parking and access arrangements prior to occupation
With planning permission secured, the client can now proceed to delivery, subject to compliance with conditions, Building Warrant requirements, and associated licensing obligations for short-term letting and caravan site use.
Key Successes
Policy Compliance: Demonstrated alignment with National Planning Framework 4 and local development plan policies relating to landscape, tourism, design, and servicing.
Landscape Sensitivity: Secured approval within a designated Special Landscape Area through modest scale, careful siting, and natural timber finishes.
Drainage and Servicing Strategy: Addressed surface water and foul drainage requirements through SUDS compliance and connection to existing treatment infrastructure.
Controlled Use: Ensured clarity of operational intent through occupancy restrictions, preventing permanent residential use.
Rural Tourism Support: Delivered a small-scale, well-integrated holiday unit contributing to the local visitor economy in a sustainable rural setting.
This project demonstrates how carefully designed, low-impact tourism accommodation within sensitive Highland landscapes can achieve planning approval where siting, design, servicing, and biodiversity considerations are addressed in a coordinated and policy-led manner.
