Controversial plans to build more than 100 houses near Nairn have been narrowly approved – despite the best efforts of protesters.
Tempers flared and acrimonious barbs flew towards councillors and officials during a visit to the site just hours before a decision was made.
Springfield Properties have been met with fierce opposition to their plans to build 115 homes at Kingsteps, Lochloy.
Campaigners have concerns about potential flooding, the siting of the sewage pumping station required for the development and the pressure of extra traffic on the roads.
And at a site visit yesterday, tempers quickly frayed when 40 residents – some bearing placards – gathered at Averon Road, Lochloy as councillors and planning officials examined the site.
South planning applications chairman Jimmy Grey had to field bitter reproaches from residents when he tried to confine discussions to the physical characteristics of the site.
“Why are we here?” shouted one man.
“I’ve lived here for 28 years and the roads are still unadopted.”
Voices of dissent swelled when residents were told that discussing their objections was not the purpose of the site visit.
As tempers frayed, a police car appeared and maintained vigil in a nearby street.
After half-an-hour of heated exchanges at Averon Road, the visit moved to the east boundary of the site at Kingsteps.
Meanwhile, more placard-bearing residents joined in, among them Kingsteps resident Scott MacDonald.
He said: “We’re bothered by the continuous increase in house numbers flying in the face of the opposition. After 40 or 50 objections when it was supposed to be 90 houses, they said thank you very much we’ll put in 115.
“We’re worried that the emergency access proposed for this road will become permanent access and there will be even more development. We feel ignored.”
The visit proceeded to Sutors Gate and then to View Road for councillor to observe heavy and often chaotic traffic.
Residents told councillors of their daily challenges moving on and off the A96 to Lochloy Road to reach their homes.
But just a few hours later, planning committee chairman Mr Grey used his casting vote to approve the scheme.
Members were split 50/50 after Nairn councillor Laurie Fraser put forward an amendment to reject the application on the grounds it is outwith council policy by exacerbating traffic problems on the A96 and by an insufficient buffer zone at Kingsteps.
Mr Gray, councillor for Inverness Millburn, however made clear he was in favour of the scheme, and used his casting vote to pass it. He said: “There is a need for housing and we will need to deal with all the issues and mitigate as we go along.”
Last night, Morton Gillespie from the Kingsteps Residents Group accused another Nairn councillor, Tom Heggie, of letting the community down by not supporting the amendment.
He said: “The vote was lost entirely due to our elected representative councillor Tom Heggie (who spoke in favour of the development) giving his own personal view and not that of the people who elected him.
“If he had supported councillor Laurie Fraser then the motion to refuse would have been voted through – a sad day for local democracy when your own councillors do not stand together.”
Mr Gillespie added: “My other concern is with statement made by the planning officer who said on two occasions when questioned by members that there are no active badger setts within the site.
“This is blatantly not true as the badger survey clearly identifies numerous active setts along the watercourse.”
Springfield Properties chief executive Innes Smith said he was pleased the development had been given the go-ahead.
He added: “Of the 115 homes, 29 affordable homes will be built for Highland Council to help address the affordable housing shortage in the area.
“This new development provides continuity of employment for over 50 people including apprentices and supports 150 further jobs and local trades. We are confident the Kingsteps Nairn development will complement and benefit Nairn and its residents.”
