A major housing development on the edge of a Black Isle village has been approved despite objections from existing residents.
A Highland Council planning committee granted unanimously permission for 50 homes at Greenside Farm in Rosemarkie.
The decision came in spite of 267 objections against the scheme, mostly concerned with issues around the roads and increased traffic.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council warned the development would impact the future viability of Fortrose High Street, which sits between Rosemarkie and access to the A9.
Black Isle MSP Kate Forbes has pledged to meet with the developerto address local concerns.
She said: “Many local residents from Fortrose and Rosemarkie have expressed concerns over traffic management, especially on Fortrose High Street as well as northbound queuing on the A9 at the Munlochy junction spilling onto the outside lane of the dual carriageway.
“These are legitimate issues.”
She added: “Ultimately it’s a Highland Council matter, and on this occasion it appears that councillors believe the need for affordable housing on the Black Isle has outweighed their reservations about the increased strain on infrastructure.”
Black Isle councillor Craig Fraser admitted he was torn between the need to address residents concerns and the demand for new housing in the area.
Fellow ward councillor and committee chairwoman Isobel McCallum described the plans as a “high quality development” on the “last significant site zoned for housing on the Black Isle”.
