Housing developer to appeal against Highland Council decision
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HIGHLAND Council is facing a challenge over its rejection of a planning application for a major so-called “affordable” housing development.
Local authority officers have rejected a proposal for 48 much needed affordable homes.
The development was planned for Westhill, just beyond the city boundary on the Culloden road.
Elgin-based Springfield Properties hoped to build the homes on a 4.7-acre site at Raigmore Tower.
A recent public meeting was unanimous in its opposition to the proposal.
Council officers have since rejected it under “delegated powers”, a modern process by which decision making is referred by elected members.
The officials were conscious that the site is not zoned for development.
The company had proposed a range of houses, bungalows and flats.
In the wake of the officials’ decision, Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said: “It was an opportunistic planning application. It didn’t comply with the Highland-wide local development plan, the Inner Moray Firth plan or our policy on sustainable communities.”
A spokeswoman for Springfield Properties said: “We’re disappointed that Highland Council have refused our application to build 48 affordable homes along Culloden Road.
“Once built, these homes would offer 48 families in Inverness the benefit of highly energy-efficient, inexpensive to run, affordable places to live.
“Springfield will be appealing the decision.”
The council has occasionally been accused of “running scared” on previous occasions when appeals were mooted due to the potential legal cost of losing such a challenge, usually involving substantive projects such as major windfarms.
In this instance, the appeal will be dealt with by the council’s planning review body which comprises councillors, rather than a Scottish Government-appointed reporter.
