350 homes planned for Inverness site near to River Ness
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AROUND 350 new homes are being proposed for a major new housing development on the outskirts of Inverness.
The Courier reported yesterday that Ness Valley Leisure Ltd hoped to build a major new housing estate on land to the south of the southern distributor road that sits immediately west of the Dores Road Roundabout.
At the time, it was unclear how many houses were being proposed, as a full application has yet to be lodged with Highland Council.
However, a separate 'screening application' has since come to light – and it offers more information about the proposals for the near 27 hectare site.
Although a detailed layout has yet to be submitted, the screening documents reveal that the new housing would consist of roughly 350 homes and feature a mix of flats, houses and town houses.
The site would also feature open spaces, "active travel and road infrastructure, drainage and potential community facility use".
Related: Major Inverness housing development plan sparks drop-in event
In a document submitted as part of the screening application, the developer's agent, Mabbett & Associates, said: "The development is anticipated to consist of two and three-bedroom apartments standing at two, three, and four storeys.
"Houses will vary between two-bed bungalows and three, four, and five-bedroom homes standing at one-and-a-half. two and three storeys.
"As this application concerns as 'planning in principle' (PIP) permission design details of the housing is yet to be determined."
However, the form also revealed that three road access points are proposed for the new estate, which will be located on the B862 Dores road. Existing trees along the boundaries will be retained "except where new access points are proposed". No development is also planned adjacent to the River Ness, which borders the site's western edges.
They added: "Pockets of green amenity space will be positioned around the development with pedestrianised linkages throughout."
The public will get a chance to examine what is being proposed at a consultation event in Inverness next week.
A public exhibition and drop-in event will be held in the Holm Mills Shopping Village on Tuesday, August 8, from 1pm to 5pm.
"[This] will give you the opportunity to view the draft proposals for this development," said Mabbett & Associates in a letter attached to one of the site's applications.
"Information and drawings will be on display and you can discuss your views with the planning consultants and prospective applicants.
"Comments sheets will be available at the event on the day".
People can also comment on the Mabbett Planning and Design website at www.mabbett.eu.
People can also email rgrant@mabbett.eu by Tuesday, August 29.
The application is currently for planning in principle. A full planning application – detailing the specific layout and housing types – would also need to be submitted and approved before any development could take place.
