Controversial plans to expand a housing development in a Black Isle village have been recommended for approval.
Councillors will consider proposals for 19 new homes at Fortrose on Tuesday next week.
The houses are part of a larger phased development by Tulloch Homes at Ness Gap Site or Chanonry Park, and have generated controversy amid concerns about traffic and overdevelopment.
A total of 10 households and Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council have raised objections, as the new houses would take the number of homes to more than the 100 initially agreed for the area.
Planning for 103 units has already been approved, but officers are still recommending councillors give the new scheme the go ahead.
In a report before the committee, planning officer Erica McArthur writes: “All relevant matters have been taken into account when appraising this application.
“It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations.”
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council has also raised concerns about the capacity within local road network to cope, the lack of suitable pavements on Fortrose High Street and the conflict that arises from pedestrians spilling onto the busy road.
Opponents warned about the increase in traffic using A832 from the A9 Munlochy junction through Fortrose High Street.
The council’s Transport Planning Team said a traffic count indicates that additional traffic at peak times is anticipated to be 2% of current weekday flows, described as “not significant”.
Sarah Atkin, chairwoman of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council, said: “Our objection is on the grounds that there isn’t the infrastructure to accommodate the homes that have already been built on that site, and 19 extra homes will only put more pressure on traffic and on the roads.”
A Tulloch Homes spokesman said: “Chanonry Park has been an extremely popular development with its friendly village atmosphere and its proximity to the dolphin sighting spot.
“We have been building there for several years and the current phase is running out, triggering this application, which will be the completion of the development.”
