Green light for betting office plan

Members of Orkney Islands Council’s planning committee, today, approved an application to change a retail premises in Kirkwall town centre into a betting office.

MAB Bookmaker Ltd is proposing to change the use of the premises at 31 Bridge Street.

One objection was received on the grounds of loss of retail space, impact of window displays on appearance of street and noise from customers.

However, members went with the executive director of development and infrastructure’s recommendation, that the points of the objection do not outweigh policy considerations in favour of the development.

Also at today’s meeting members approved an application by Orkney Islands Council, for the proposed building of four semi-detached houses at a site on Berstane Road.

A proposed reinstatement and extension of a house at Peace in Quoyloo, the proposed erection of a house with integral garage at Swartland Road, Sandwick and a proposed erection of a wind turbine at Sandybank in Stronsay, were also approved.

The member’s decision on a proposed retrospective levelling of site and creation of lay-down and storage areas at Lyness Industrial Estate was deferred until March.