Final phase of big Inverness housing estate could be started soon with 105 homes
The final chunk of the large Slackbuie housing development on Inverness's southern outskirts is in the pipeline for planning permission.
Tulloch Homes wants to build 105 homes on a 5.8 hectare site – that's almost five football pitches – south of Leys Castle land and 2.5 miles from the city centre.
The Upper Slackbuie site, Phase H of the development, brings the total number of houses and flats for the estate to 388 – which will be 28 units fewer than first thought. The original number of houses granted permission for was 416.
Planning papers reveal an affordable housing bonus for this phase.
A design and access statement by consultants Bracewell Stirling with the planning application says: "Delivery of affordable units in Area H is not an obligation of the original planning consent with the affordable allocation relating to the wider Slackbuie development already delivered through previous allocated phases.
"Tulloch Homes Ltd do however propose to deliver seven affordable units which will be located to the west of the development which will be provided in addition to the approved numbers and are not an obligation of the planning application."
The development proposals include a mixture of house types and styles ranging from three-storey two-bedroom flats to two-storey two, three and four-bedroom family homes, all sympathetic to the existing residential areas associated with the wider Slackbuie development.
Of the total number of private development units 5 per cent will be designed to have wheelchair liveable ground floors "in order to allow residents to adapt their homes and meet the changing needs of the occupants over their lifetime".
Tulloch Homes aims to promote a compact neighbourhoods where people can meet most of their daily needs within a reasonable distance from their home with development site well connected to a wide range of local amenities and facilities.
"It is also well-placed to access public transport, schools and shops," says the design statement.
"The site is also within close proximity to a number of existing parks and open spaces including sport and recreational facilities."
Regarding public consultation events, Tulloch Homes says: "The feedback received was positive and there appeared to be a level of understanding that the site is allocated for residential development.
"The majority of comments received focused on the detailed design of the development proposals with regards to construction traffic, landscaping maintenance, core path links including the existing woodland footpath to the south, flooding, ecology etc. We would note the majority of these have been addressed through this planning application."