The top floor of one of Callander’s largest hotels is to be turned into an HMO (House of Multiple Occupation).
Greeneking Ltd submitted an application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority for a change of use of the second floor level of the Waverley Hotel, which has now been approved by Park planners.
One objection was lodged, citing potential problems with temporary homing of people in Callander and “the creation of a hostel-type facility”.
However, the planners have said the change could meet a need for accommodation for seasonal workers.
The ground floor level of the hotel, which is on the town’s main thoroughfare and on the corner with South Church Street, is open to the public. There is a lounge and public bar and a dining room with kitchen facilities and outdoor seating on the pavement to the front and in the back yard.
At first floor level there are 10 bedrooms, one of which is a family room.
The second floor of the hotel, within the roof space, currently has eight bedrooms which share two bathrooms, two kitchens and two living rooms and appear as two four-bed apartments. A separate access door is provided for staff and resident use only which avoids the public bar area.
In their decision, the planners said: “The plans involve reconfiguring the second floor layout to create two HMO apartments.
“They would each accommodate five bedrooms with a shared living/kitchen area and bathroom.
“The proposal will result in the loss of some potential visitor accommodation in the park (less than 50 per cent of the hotel rooms, eight out of 18). It is unclear from the original layout if the rooms were used by staff or visitors.
“There are numerous hotels in and around Callander which provide the traditional hotel experience. It is recognised that visitor demands are changing and the trend is now for airbnb where tourists can enjoy more independence.
“The conversion of the upper floor of the hotel retains the hotel function over the remaining two floors below, whilst meeting the demand in the Park to provide a diverse range of housing.
“It will help meet the demands in the locality to accommodate seasonal workers.
“It is concluded that the loss of some visitor accommodation is justified in this instance.
“The proposed conversion allows for the creation of five adequately sized bedrooms in each apartment, all of which will benefit from natural light via the dormer windows.
“The applicant will require an HMO licence which will cover matters such as fire escape, minimum room sizes, communal space etc.
“One objection has been received regarding the housing of transient population, however any anti-social activity related to the HMO will be for the applicant to manage correctly to ensure he retains the HMO licence, and for the police to monitor if this occurs outside the property.
“The application represents a minor departure from visitor experience policy in that it will result in the loss of some visitor accommodation. However it is considered that such a change is justified in this location given the demand for temporary accommodation for seasonal workers, working in tourism and agriculture in the locality.”
