Landowners visit Tornagrain near Inverness to share best practice in sustainable development at Prince's Foundation event
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Landowners from across the UK met at a new development near Inverness to find out more about building sustainable new communities.
The Prince’s Foundation event at Tornagrain was held as part of its Building a Legacy initiative which encourages landowners to build places that foster a real sense of community built on a local identity, with walkable neighbourhoods and a focus on lowering carbon emissions.
Delegates heard from the Earl of Moray and Andrew Howard of Moray Estates about their practical experience of designing and building a sustainable community at Tornagrain.
The importance of the construction industry contributing towards net zero targets came under the spotlight with a presentation from the Scottish Government’s chief planner Fiona Simpson on building towards zero carbon and a panel discussion with representatives from Travis Perkins, the Duchy of Cornwall, SNRG and Elite NuGEN.
Highland new town celebrates key milestone
John Moray, of Moray Estates, said: "We were delighted to welcome the Prince’s Foundation to Tornagrain for its annual Building a Legacy event and to demonstrate that it is absolutely possible to build sustainable new communities that people really enjoy living in."
Ben Bolgar, senior director at The Prince's Foundation, said it was hugely encouraging to see the growing number of Legacy Landowners bringing forward mixed use, mixed income, walkable communities.
"It is also essential to hold our events in places demonstrating Legacy principles in order to kick the tyres and learn from the successes and challenges of others," he said.
"Tornagrain is showing how even in early stages of development a mix of uses and strong sense of community can be fostered and we applaud the skill and effort of Moray Estates in leading the way in Scotland."
The first residents moved into Tornagrain in March 2017 and there are now around 600 residents.
The village, which will grow into a town, now has a range of facilities including a pharmacy, grocery shop, café, allotments and a community hall.
