Muir of Ord folk claim new homes would be a disaster
Residents warn lack of services will cause severe problems in village
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Concerns have been voiced that a 120-house development in a Ross-shire village will stretch already inadequate services.
Disgruntled villagers already bemoan the lack of leisure facilities and there are fears that further growth could increase antisocial behaviour.
There are also concerns that grouping the suggested 30 so-called “affordable “ homes together in the first phase of the development could create a “ghetto”.
The worries over the proposed development at Broomhill Farm, Muir of Ord, have been voiced by local community councillors and villagers.
They have prompted Ross, Skye and Lochaber area planning committee to put the application on hold pending a meeting with objectors and Aviemore and Highland Developments Ltd.
The company, which was granted outline consent in October, 2006, wants to build bungalows and semi-detached and detached houses, with a terrace of six units.
The development, including amenity areas, would be accessed from West Road via a mini-roundabout to the west of Urray Free Church.
The community council says there are inadequate meeting places for social activities.
Concerns have also been expressed about drainage and the threat of flooding.
It is also claimed that the loss of green-belt land around Muir of Ord for “passive recreation” could also lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour.
It is claimed the capacity of the primary school is inadequate to cope with an influx of children from the development, while other opponents said the same situation applied to the doctors’ surgery.
Opponents suggest there should be no further development until two-way traffic is restored on the railway bridge.
Officials had recommended conditional approval for the application, which they said complied with the development plan for the area. Provision had also been made to address concerns over drainage and any flooding threat.
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