Community leaders in Nairn are seething over a revised planning blueprint, claiming it would endanger road users near two primary schools and a hospital.
The detail will be debated next week by the recently created Nairnshire Committee.
Planning officers declined to respond to the criticism prior to hearing from committee members.
Agenda papers for the meeting have incensed prominent townsfolk who, for years, have highlighted the problems of narrow streets and pavements in an area zoned for hundreds more homes.
They also argue that the report is short on other basic infrastructure such as sewage treatment works.
Nairn Surburban and West Community Council chairman Dick Youngson said: “We thought we’d got agreement on this whole Nairn South development issue quite a while ago and that the planners were convinced that everything we raised was correct but this report is a backwards step.
“All their pretence of trying to increase road width on Cawdor Road and Balblair Road with little passing places won’t solve anything.
“As the report stands it would be extremely dangerous for everybody, pedestrians especially, kids going to and from the Rosebank and Millbank schools, and for people using the hospital.”
A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: “It would not be appropriate to comment prior to members’ consideration of the committee report.”
She added that public consultation on the outcome would follow.
The frustration over Highland Council planning was in sharp contrast to optimism about community-led initiatives for rebranding Nairn and kick-starting an array of projects.
A plethora of local business groups united on Thursday night for an upbeat gathering to begin fine-tuning efforts to increase footfall and maximise the resort’s tourism.
Michael Boylan, chairman of the Association of Nairn Businesses, said: “It’s all about getting things done and there’s a real willingness for people to work together.”
Nairnshire Committee chairman Michael Green added: “It was an incredibly exciting meeting. There was a real energy around the room with the various groups outlining their projects for Nairn.”
Nairnshire recently submitted a formal application for “business improvement district” (Bid) status which would raise thousands of pounds from an annual levy to invest in town projects.
