Kirkwood Homes want Inverness housing plan refusal to be overturned by Scottish Government following Highland Council refusal
An Aberdeen-shire based developer wants the Scottish Government to intervene after its planned multimillion-pound project to build 80 new homes in Inverness was rejected by Highland Council officials.
Kirkwood Homes wanted to build on land near Drumossie Hotel, submitting its proposals in summer 2022.
It staged a public consultation, including in-person events, but planning officers used delegated powers in December last year to refuse the application because it was contrary to a local development plan, as well as various other guidelines.
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Now the firm has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.
The proposed development aims to deliver a diverse range of housing options, including 20 affordable homes.
Allan Rae, land director at Kirkwood Homes, said: "We were deeply disappointed by Highland Council’s refusal of our application for much-needed housing in Inverness. This decision was made despite our comprehensive efforts to address concerns raised by the planning department.
"We firmly believe our proposal is critical to addressing the acute housing shortage identified in the Green Freeport initiative and the Local Housing Strategy. We have addressed all of the technical issues raised by the council and the site is ready for immediate development, offering an opportunity to support both housing needs and economic growth in the region.
“Through our appeal to the Scottish Government, we are hopeful that the full merits of this proposal will be recognised, especially in light of the pressing demand for housing across the Highlands."
Highland Council declared a ‘housing challenge’ for the area in November 2023, echoing similar declarations of a housing emergency made by other Scottish councils and the Scottish Parliament. Projections indicate that the Highlands will require up to 24,000 new homes over the next decade to address future demand and existing needs.
Last December, the council’s area planning manager David Mudie stated in the ruling “the unsuitable location, layout, design, materials, numbers of housing units and poor active travel and public transport connectivity is incompatible with the pattern of development and landscape character of this part of the city”.
He stated: “The applicant has not demonstrated that any material considerations could potentially support this departure from the development plan.”
An objector to the plan was Helen Louise Ross, who said she was an immediate neighbour of the proposed development. She pointed out earlier in the process: “There is no pedestrian access to the proposed housing development in any direction. This has significant implications for safety.”
