And finally… false front

Two bogus representations appeared on the council’s online planning portal, using the names of well‑known local residents and businesses without their consent. The objections targeted plans for a new hotel on Junction Road.

Developer Steven Kemp, who is behind the project, said he immediately recognised the names used and knew the individuals personally. He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Around Orkney that the couple were “completely perplexed” to discover their identities had been used.

Kemp suggested the submissions may have been generated using AI, noting that the comments showed little understanding of the site or local planning policy. In more than two decades in the construction industry, he said he had never encountered fabricated objections.

The council confirmed it removed the false submissions as soon as the affected parties made contact and is now working to trace their source. Officials said no similar incidents had been recorded since the online planning system was introduced in 2008, and the issue will be raised with the national Heads of Planning network.

Heads of Planning Scotland said it would liaise with Orkney Islands Council and noted that planning concerns can also be examined through internal council processes or by the Public Sector Ombudsman.