Bespoke Isle of Skye Holiday Let - Approved

Location: Portree, Isle of Skye

Approval Type: Full Planning Permission

Outcome: Approved with Conditions

Planning Authority: The Highland Council

Date Approved: December 2025

Background

The application site comprises part of the curtilage of an existing dwelling on the north-eastern outskirts of Portree, within the Portree Settlement Development Area. The land slopes downhill in a north-easterly direction and previously accommodated a small shed, which was proposed for removal as part of the development.

The client sought full planning permission for the erection of a domestic storage unit and a one-bedroom short-term holiday letting unit. The aim was to provide high-quality visitor accommodation within the established residential curtilage, supporting the local tourism economy while ensuring compatibility with neighbouring properties and settlement character.

The Proposal

The proposal comprised two repurposed shipping containers forming a contemporary letting unit, with a single-storey storage unit positioned beneath it at right angles, utilising the natural slope of the site. The letting accommodation was composed of two offset containers, creating visual interest and responding sensitively to the topography.

Both structures were overclad in vertically hung, steam- and pressure-treated Scots Pine boarding. Revised elevations submitted during the application process clarified the finishing materials and design detailing.

The development was to be accessed via the existing junction serving the dwelling, with on-site car parking and turning space provided within the plot. The unit was designed specifically for holiday letting purposes and not as a standalone permanent dwelling.

Our Approach

We prepared and coordinated the full planning application, supported by a Planning, Design and Access Report and 3D visualisations to clearly demonstrate the siting, massing and relationship with neighbouring properties.

The proposal was assessed against National Planning Framework 4 and the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, with particular attention given to:

• Design quality and placemaking

• Settlement compatibility within the Portree Settlement Development Area

• Neighbour amenity and separation distances

• Access, parking and servicing

• Biodiversity enhancement requirements

We ensured that the contemporary container design was presented as a well-considered architectural response to the sloping site, with the offset arrangement reinforcing visual interest while maintaining modest scale.

Conditions were agreed covering biodiversity-led landscaping, parking provision, and occupancy restrictions to ensure the unit remains in short-term letting use only.

No third-party objections were received, and consultee feedback was limited to administrative requirements relating to property addressing.

The Outcome

The application was approved under delegated powers by The Highland Council in December 2025.

The Council concluded that the development accords with the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of siting, design, access and neighbour amenity. The scale and layout were considered appropriate within the residential curtilage, and sufficient separation distances safeguarded privacy.

Permission was granted subject to conditions, including:

• Commencement within three years

• Submission and implementation of a soft landscaping scheme to secure biodiversity enhancement

• Completion and retention of car parking and access arrangements

• Restriction of the unit to holiday/short-term letting use only

With planning permission secured, the client is now able to progress the project in accordance with the approved plans and conditions, contributing sensitively designed visitor accommodation within the Portree settlement.

Key Successes

Full Approval Granted: Planning permission secured without objection for both the holiday letting unit and associated domestic storage.

Design-Led Approach: Contemporary container architecture successfully integrated into a sloping residential site through careful siting and material treatment.

Settlement Compatibility: Demonstrated compliance with national and local planning policy within the Portree Settlement Development Area.

Tourism Contribution: Delivered modest, high-quality short-term accommodation supporting the Isle of Skye’s visitor economy.

This project demonstrates how well-considered, small-scale tourism development within an established residential curtilage can achieve planning approval where design quality, neighbour amenity, biodiversity, and servicing requirements are addressed comprehensively and in line with policy.