Inverness housing - a further 105 homes approved for Slackbuie site
Permission has been granted for a further 105 homes to be created as part of the ongoing Slackbuie Farm development in Inverness.
A masterplan for the area, about two-and-a-half miles from Inverness city centre, was approved in May 2008, to create a total of 416 new homes.
Members of Highland Council’s south planning applications committee heard this week that while the 105 homes forming the basis of the latest planning application associated with the site is an increase from the 92 it was suggested would originally be accommodated there, because of changes elsewhere the total number of homes to be built across the wider area has now been reduced to 388.
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The development now approved comprises 18 two-bedroom flats; 18 three-bedroom semi-detached homes; 18 three-bedroom detached; 43 three-bedroom detached; four two-bedroom terraced units; and four three-bedroom terraced units.
It will include seven new “affordable” homes though, as councillors were reminded this week, there is no obligation on the developer to provide these as the affordable housing “quota” has already been met through provision on other parts of the wider site.
Previous objections to the proposal included unhappiness over the erection of three storey flats it was said variously were not in keeping with the surrounding area; would overlook private gardens; would block sun to properties to the north; and lead to a denser population in an already overpopulated area.
There were also concerns about footpaths with “rural style pathways” that need “regular inspection and maintenance” as they “lack visual appeal unless they are enhanced with thoughtful rural landscaping”.
Local councillor Duncan Macpherson asked about the implications for capacity at Inverness Royal Academy and Cauldeen Primary School and was told it had been deemed there was no need for developer contributions towards increasing capacity at either school.
Councillor Macpherson proposed approval was granted for the development - which he said was what he “anticipated” for the area - and was seconded by committee vice chairman Councillor Paul Oldham, with no objections.
