At Ardvourlie, a new home raises a question about private wastewater

An application for a house, double garage and polycrub at 4 Ardvourlie, North Harris, is awaiting a decision from Na h-Eileanan Siar Council.

The applicant's design statement describes a four-bedroom bungalow and says the site is within a National Scenic Area. For wastewater, it proposes a Biorock packaged sewage treatment system, with an outfall via a partial soakaway to a watercourse beside the A859. The statement says water and power are available close by.

Scottish Water's response dated 22 September 2026 records no objection. But it explicitly says that this does not confirm the proposed development can currently be serviced. The response says there is no public wastewater infrastructure in the vicinity and advises the applicant to investigate private treatment options. It also says capacity cannot be reserved and that water and wastewater applications should be submitted for appraisal.

That leaves a specific servicing question for the planning process: the application proposes a private wastewater system, while Scottish Water says serviceability still has to be established through the relevant applications. The council record currently shows the proposal as awaiting decision. No planning outcome is established by the sources checked for this article.