More outdoor seating in Portree - not less!
The Issue
'PORTREE RANKED SECOND TO WORST IN HIGHLAND COUNCIL TOWN REPORT
On a scale from one to five – one being the lowest grade and five being the highest, Portree received a score of one, very poor, for pavements and streets, with potholes, cracks, uneven surfaces and weeds highlighted in the report.
It has also been graded poorly on parking, pedestrian friendliness, public transport, cycling facilities, and links – all two out of five.
However, it was given four out of five for open space and green infrastructure, tourist appeal and its evening economy.' - concluded the Highland Council Town Health Check report.
Everything relating to what the Council undertakes received either “1 or 2 out of 5”.
There are many issues that the Council should be dealing with, many things within the Council are underfunded and staff levels are low therefore projects are being put off.
But the Council do have time to remove the Portree Hotel outdoor seating?
Previously mentioned Council Concerns:
- Blocking the pavement limiting wheelchair access in that area – This is not true, the pavement is very narrow at that point, but not because of the decking. The decking remains only within the previously used taxi parking places. The pavement width has not changed.
- Narrowing the road at the corner – The road is no narrower than it always was, they used to park taxis where the decking currently is.
- Dangerous corner – If the decking is removed and taxis return in it’s place, it will be far more dangerous for opening taxi doors on that side.
- Lost Council revenue – I have consistently offered to pay rent for the spaces.
- Lost Council parking – I have consistently offered to build a car park and ride facility to increase parking. Planning reference - (20/04155/FUL)
- Cannot currently approve this development – Why?
- Not in keeping with a conservation area – There is pretty much always outdoor seating in conservation areas. Tell us what material to use that would comply, and we will build it in those materials.
- Negative Visual Impact – How is this decking worse visually than cars and vans??
- Would lose a public asset to private control – The Council rents land, buildings and parts of the pavement to private control all over the Highlands.
- Inappropriate use of a Council asset – Council-funded surveys and the public are crying out for outdoor seating in Portree.
- Taxi owners not happy about being moved – In 2014 the taxi owners approached the Council to move the taxi rank to opposite the Court House as they did not want to park outside a public bar.
- Blocking access to Council drains and services – Hatches above the current drains and services would continue to give full access to the Council.
If the “dangerous corner” is safer with the public on a raised decking behind steel railings.
If Council revenue is increased by renting the area.
If the number of parking places is increased by developing a park-and-ride.
If the decking area can be built from any materials that Conservation wishes.
If the complete development was fully funded by the Portree Hotel and offered no financial involvement from the Council.
If jobs, revenue for everyone and a pleasant place to sit can be created.
If the Scottish Government has brought forward new legislation to limit Planning rules and encourage outdoor seating for restaurants.
If the Highland Council spent good money funding two reports in recent years that criticised the complete lack of public amenities and outdoor seating.
Why can’t the decking stay?
We would love to invest further in the decking, making it more permanent, with more greenery, and a more substantial structure including ramps for wheelchairs. We could also rebuild it with stone and cast iron, but we have not been afforded that privilege. The Council has always seen this as a temporary measure that will be removed as soon as possible.
With all the surveys being done and all the personal opinions being offered, it is blatantly obvious that the Square severely lacks public amenities.
Many would argue (I hope) that this is a great facility, and some would undoubtedly argue that it’s not in keeping with the village centre.
But surely everyone would agree that something is better than nothing?
This seating area is the only increase to outdoor seating in Somerled Square in 38 years!
Tracey Urry, Head of Roads and Infrastructure and Dafydd Jones, Head of Planning for North Highland have both stated in writing to me that they will not support the retention of the decking in Somerled Square.
It’s worth noting that both of these Council professionals live in a town that has had millions of pounds spent on public amenities and outside seating, while they make a judgment on a village that has had absolutely nothing spent on it.
The Highland Council Roads and Infrastructure department want the decking removed immediately.
Many people much more educated and qualified than me have stated that we must follow the rules and accept what we are given, or not given.
I firmly believe that it’s the public that ultimately should make the decision for this decking and the rest of the Square. If the decking stays, I will push for the rest of the Square to be developed.
If you would like this outside seating to remain instead of more parked cars and vans.
Would you please sign the online petition or call into the Portree Hotel and sign the hard copy petition.
Would you rather have Portree village centre look like this?
Or Portree Village centre look like this:
601
The Issue
'PORTREE RANKED SECOND TO WORST IN HIGHLAND COUNCIL TOWN REPORT
On a scale from one to five – one being the lowest grade and five being the highest, Portree received a score of one, very poor, for pavements and streets, with potholes, cracks, uneven surfaces and weeds highlighted in the report.
It has also been graded poorly on parking, pedestrian friendliness, public transport, cycling facilities, and links – all two out of five.
However, it was given four out of five for open space and green infrastructure, tourist appeal and its evening economy.' - concluded the Highland Council Town Health Check report.
Everything relating to what the Council undertakes received either “1 or 2 out of 5”.
There are many issues that the Council should be dealing with, many things within the Council are underfunded and staff levels are low therefore projects are being put off.
But the Council do have time to remove the Portree Hotel outdoor seating?
Previously mentioned Council Concerns:
- Blocking the pavement limiting wheelchair access in that area – This is not true, the pavement is very narrow at that point, but not because of the decking. The decking remains only within the previously used taxi parking places. The pavement width has not changed.
- Narrowing the road at the corner – The road is no narrower than it always was, they used to park taxis where the decking currently is.
- Dangerous corner – If the decking is removed and taxis return in it’s place, it will be far more dangerous for opening taxi doors on that side.
- Lost Council revenue – I have consistently offered to pay rent for the spaces.
- Lost Council parking – I have consistently offered to build a car park and ride facility to increase parking. Planning reference - (20/04155/FUL)
- Cannot currently approve this development – Why?
- Not in keeping with a conservation area – There is pretty much always outdoor seating in conservation areas. Tell us what material to use that would comply, and we will build it in those materials.
- Negative Visual Impact – How is this decking worse visually than cars and vans??
- Would lose a public asset to private control – The Council rents land, buildings and parts of the pavement to private control all over the Highlands.
- Inappropriate use of a Council asset – Council-funded surveys and the public are crying out for outdoor seating in Portree.
- Taxi owners not happy about being moved – In 2014 the taxi owners approached the Council to move the taxi rank to opposite the Court House as they did not want to park outside a public bar.
- Blocking access to Council drains and services – Hatches above the current drains and services would continue to give full access to the Council.
If the “dangerous corner” is safer with the public on a raised decking behind steel railings.
If Council revenue is increased by renting the area.
If the number of parking places is increased by developing a park-and-ride.
If the decking area can be built from any materials that Conservation wishes.
If the complete development was fully funded by the Portree Hotel and offered no financial involvement from the Council.
If jobs, revenue for everyone and a pleasant place to sit can be created.
If the Scottish Government has brought forward new legislation to limit Planning rules and encourage outdoor seating for restaurants.
If the Highland Council spent good money funding two reports in recent years that criticised the complete lack of public amenities and outdoor seating.
Why can’t the decking stay?
We would love to invest further in the decking, making it more permanent, with more greenery, and a more substantial structure including ramps for wheelchairs. We could also rebuild it with stone and cast iron, but we have not been afforded that privilege. The Council has always seen this as a temporary measure that will be removed as soon as possible.
With all the surveys being done and all the personal opinions being offered, it is blatantly obvious that the Square severely lacks public amenities.
Many would argue (I hope) that this is a great facility, and some would undoubtedly argue that it’s not in keeping with the village centre.
But surely everyone would agree that something is better than nothing?
This seating area is the only increase to outdoor seating in Somerled Square in 38 years!
Tracey Urry, Head of Roads and Infrastructure and Dafydd Jones, Head of Planning for North Highland have both stated in writing to me that they will not support the retention of the decking in Somerled Square.
It’s worth noting that both of these Council professionals live in a town that has had millions of pounds spent on public amenities and outside seating, while they make a judgment on a village that has had absolutely nothing spent on it.
The Highland Council Roads and Infrastructure department want the decking removed immediately.
Many people much more educated and qualified than me have stated that we must follow the rules and accept what we are given, or not given.
I firmly believe that it’s the public that ultimately should make the decision for this decking and the rest of the Square. If the decking stays, I will push for the rest of the Square to be developed.
If you would like this outside seating to remain instead of more parked cars and vans.
Would you please sign the online petition or call into the Portree Hotel and sign the hard copy petition.
Would you rather have Portree village centre look like this?
Or Portree Village centre look like this:
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Petition created on 13 March 2023