Application for new flats for Ardross Street in Inverness are rejected by Highland Council

COUNCILLORS have over-ruled planners to once again reject a plan to build flats in Ardross Street in Invernes.

Branded a “classic example of over-development,” the rejection by councillors on the south planning committee of an amended scheme by Neil and Catrina Cameron, who own the Mustard Seed restaurant in the city, is the third time they have failed to win backing.

Their original plan and an appeal against its rejection were also thrown out.

The committee backed an amendment put forward by Councillor Richard Laird who told his colleagues the proposed development would “stand out like a sore thumb” in the riverside conservation area.

Cllr Laird said: “To me this is a classic example of over-development, a classic example of trying to squeeze too many things into too wee an area.

“I think most of the problems we have discussed right now would not be as much of a problem if we weren’t looking at eight ‘mews-style’ apartments.

“To me a mews-style apartment is a terraced apartment that someone wants to get through a planning committee with the view to ultimately letting it out to tourists.”

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