Multimillion pound plans have been lodged for the next phase of a controversial new 222-home neighbourhood in the south of Inverness.
Developers have offered the first glimpse of how a new development of 82 houses will look near the Asda superstore at Slackbuie.
The scheme from Barratt North Scotland is proposed for a site immediately next to land where 60 homes and a restaurant are being built, and near a field earmarked for another 80 new homes.
But community leaders are poised to object to the proposal – because the whole area is only zoned for 24 homes.
Local councillor Ken Gowans has raised concerns that it will be “10 times over-subscribed” and that none of the developers had mentioned providing a school or essential community facilities alongside the houses.
The new application focuses on fields and scrubland bounded on the west by Culduthel Road, near where the route meets the Southern Distributor Road at the Leys Roundabout.
Work is already under way on 60 homes and a 150-seat restaurant next door to the site, after councillors approved the proposal from Tweed Estates and Kirkwood Homes in September.
Connections will be created between the two neighbourhoods, with the proposed new development to consist of 82 terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, ranging in size from two to four bedrooms.
Concern was raised last month, however, after developer Redco submitted a “proposal of application notice” for “circa 80 units” at another nearby field, behind Asda.
The area is earmarked in the Inner Moray Firth local development plan as “mixed use for business, retail and 24 homes”.
Inverness South Community Council secretary and planning spokesman Bob Roberts said: “Our next meeting is not until February. I’m going to be asking for an extension to the application until after we’ve discussed it.
“I think we will be objecting on the grounds that it’s against the local plan. But because Kirkwood got their plans, it has set a precedent, and we said that at the time.
“That’s my personal view. It’s the usual story about lack of amenities.”
However, a design statement lodged with the planning application claims the proposal offers an “excellent opportunity to strengthen the southern edge of Inverness”.
It added: “The masterplan aims to respond to positive features of surrounding existing neighbourhoods by reinforcing existing connections and streetscapes, whilst creating new residential streets and routes through the new neighbourhood.
“Features such as the new Linear Park should provide opportunities for existing residents to benefit from the new neighbourhood and will serve to integrate the new area into the community.
“The result should be a special place which contributes to Culduthel’s architectural tradition by creating a new 21st century neighbourhood which fully respects its location, history and context.”
A public consultation has been held and councillors will rule on the plans in the next few months.
Douglas McLeod, regional director at Barratt Scotland, said: “We are very excited to be working with Hazeldene (Inverness) Ltd to develop the Culduthel Farm site in Inverness.
“This new development will enable us to continue our long-term investment in the city and build on the success of our current site at Ness Castle.”
Mark Shaw, chief executive at the site landowner Hazledene (Inverness) Ltd, added: “We’re very pleased to be submitting this application in partnership with Barratt North Scotland and working with them to deliver new homes for Inverness.
“The development will also see the completion of the final phase of the wider Culduthel Farm development, which has long since been earmarked for the development of much needed housing in the city.”
