Tornagrain. Picture: Gary Anthony.
A unit originally meant to host a doctor’s surgery in Tornagrain could be transformed into a yoga studio, as an application has been lodged with Highland Council.
Moray Estates Developments Limited is seeking to use the ground floor at Unit 65 on Hillhead road — which was originally restricted by planning conditions on an MSC application back in March 2024 to operate as a doctor’s surgery — as a retail space or financial, professional and other services or a pilates/yoga studio.
However, the 154-square-metre unit has remained empty since its construction and, according to the planning statement, NHS Highland recently confirmed that it is unable to support the delivery of a primary healthcare facility in Tornagrain in the short term, making the surgery ‘undeliverable’.
Developers are now hoping to bring the building into active commercial use rather than leaving the space vacant indefinitely.
Having reported “strong interest” in opening a reformer pilates studio at the site, the application would also offer flexibility to convert the space into shops or other businesses.
However the developer states to be willing to accept a planning condition that prevents the unit from being used for food retail.
The statement reads: “Condition 4 of the existing consent (ref: 23/03750/MSC) restricts Unit 65 to use as a doctor’s surgery.
“That restriction was imposed following the terms of the application and a request from THC’s Transport Planning Team, who confirmed that the parking provision for the unit had been calculated on the basis of one consulting room at the standard rate of five spaces, which is met by the five allocated spaces for Unit 65.
“The reference to a doctor’s surgery reflected early discussions with a local GP Practice, which at the time appeared to have support from NHS Highland. However, this has not come forward and a health centre is programmed for a later phase of the wider Tornagrain development.
“Since the building was completed, the unit has remained vacant. During the construction of the building dialogue continued with the GP Practice and latterly directly with NHS Highland.
“NHS Highland have now confirmed that they are unable to support delivery of a primary healthcare facility in Tornagrain at this stage and nor is one likely in the short term.
“Discussions will continue with NHS Highland over future provision of primary healthcare facilities in Tornagrain, but it is neither viable to retain the proposed surgery empty for an indefinite period nor is it likely that it would be sufficient in scale when a facility is delivered as the community will have grown in the interim.”
“The loss of a community facility is however a material consideration.
“The public interest is better served by the unit being brought into active use for a beneficial and community serving purpose, whether as a pilates studio providing health and wellbeing services to the local community, or as a Class 1A commercial use adding to the vitality of the local centre, than by the unit remaining vacant indefinitely.”
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