Plans for a major housing development to the East of Inverness were on show to the public yesterday during an exhibition in Smithton.
Highland Council’s Inverness East Development Brief outlines “an urban extension” which includes the creation of 3,000 homes, two primary schools, one high school, a community centre and restaurants and bars.
During the public meeting, which took place at the Smithton-Culloden Free Church, managers of the project said they want to ensure the growth of the city is sustainable by creating great places for residents to live, work and visit; as well as provide a strong connection between new and old neighbourhoods across the district.
Scott Dalgarno, Development Plans Manager for Highland Council said: “We want to stitch two parts of the community together, the old and the new, to give better connectivity to the city.
“It’s about improving and creating new stable routes for walking and cycling; high quality routes to get to new and existing places of work.”
A number of cycle paths and walkways have been put in place to allow residents to access the city easily.
David McGrath, chairman of the Smithton and Culloden Community Council, expressed concerns surrounding the cost of the development. He said: “The building of the houses is great, it’s the infrastructure that’s the problem. If you look at all the materials being put out; they are talking about schools, public parks, green walk ways, allotments and sports facilities. The only problem is who is going to pay for it all that is the big question.
“I have absolutely no problem with it at all, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. The worst thing for locals is once they start building those houses; the ones who live here will be expected to look onto the backs of a house instead of the Black Isle.
Allan Henderson, chair of the council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee added: “Through this consultation Highland Council is continuing to engage with the communities in the East of Inverness to ensure that this major urban expansion area is developed correctly.”
The plans are available to view today at Tesco Extra at Inverness Retail and Business Park and tomorrow at Inverness College UHI.
