Scottish Government reporter backs Highland Council decision to reject planning application for new flats in Ardross Street, Inverness

Residents of a conservation area in Inverness have scored a victory over a housing developer who sought to build in the city's Ardross Street.

Locals were up in arms over the proposals to build eight mews-style flats by Neil and Catriona Cameron, who own both The Kitchen and Mustard Seed restaurants in the city.

The complaints centred on the height of the building shutting out light to Ardross Terrace to the rear of the project leading to a loss of amenity.

The plans did not find favour with the councillors who voiced concerns about the style of the building, which they felt was out of keeping with the street.

The area has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in the city and is part of the Inverness Riverside Conservation Area.

Previously, Mr and Mrs Cameron had appealed to the council’s own planning review body and then to Scottish ministers, who appointed the reporter.

The reporter acknowledged there would be some positive aspects to the plan such as the removal of an “unsightly” single storey building as well as economic advantages.

However, he concluded that the plans submitted must be rejected on the grounds that the “harm” caused to the setting outweighed other considerations.

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