Black Isle locals have mobilised against a major new housing development.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie community council has lodged an objection to plans for 50 homes on a greenfield site on the edge of Rosemarkie village – and members have now taken their campaign to the streets.
More than 500 leaflets have been dropped through letterboxes in an attempt to drum up opposition to the development.
The community council previously opposed plans to build about 100 houses in the Ness Gap between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, which were later approved.
Chairwoman Libby Brown said the new scheme would be an “insult to democracy” if it was permitted so soon after the last project.
The plan has been lodged by ThreeSixty Architects and centres on land at Greenside Farm on the outskirts of Rosemarkie.
The firm said it had taken inspiration from historic buildings in the seaside town in order to make the development fit in with its surroundings.
Properties will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom villas, although the majority will be three-bedroomed terraced houses.
The plans include one access route from Courthill Road, effectively making the development a cul-de-sac.
The site is zoned for 50 homes in the council’s Inner Moray Firth Local development plan.
However, the community council say that the extra houses would contribute to traffic problems on Fortrose High Street and other routes.
They are also concerned about flooding and a lack of consultation on the project, which they believe should be classed as a major development.
Community council chairwoman Libby Brown said: “Five years ago when Highland Council decided against the declared wishes of the majority of residents to build houses in the Ness Gap between our two villages, we were promised the essential roads plus social and recreational facilities.
“We are still waiting.”
She added: “”The high density of the proposed housing is in direct conflict to the village. It may be value for money to the developer but not for the community.”
Rory Kellett, of ThreeSixty Architecture, has previously said: “Development is going to happen here, but we would rather it was done in a sensitive way.”