Punch Pub Company, which runs 9,200 pubs across the UK, wants to install a fixed veranda to the front and west of the Argyll Hotel in the village's conservation area to provide shelter for smoking patrons of both the lounge and public bars.

But Barbara Peffers and Sandy Watters, who have run a self-catering business next door to the hotel at No 17 Argyle Street for several years, objected to the application at Highland Council's Ross and Cromarty area planning committee on Monday.

"The site is immediately adjacent to our property,' they said, "and we believed that the shelter will impinge upon our business.

"Our guests use the garden behind our house and next to the hotel for open-air dining and relaxing. The property is advertised as having a large secluded garden and this is one of its attractions.

"We consider that the gathering of smokers will be detrimental to the quiet and clean environment we aim to provide for our guests."

The neighbours said they were also concerned that people who had used the lane between the two properties for many years will be forced to walk through the gathering and at certain times of night this could be daunting.

At Monday's meeting, planning chairwoman Val MacIver said she believed extending the canopy round to the west side of the hotel, directly opposite the neighbours' garden, was going too far as they might be affected by the "fug" of tobacco smoke.

However, other committee members agreed with Councillor Andy Anderson that the canopy would finish off the look of the hotel and added: "You talk about 'fug' but this is an outside area and it's not too near the garden."

Agents for the applicants said the lane access to the west of the hotel was within the boundaries of the hotel land and no formal rights of access were permitted, although it had been used by locals over the years.

The committee agreed with the planning officer's recommendation to approve the application.

northstar@spp-group.com

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