Developer's plan for 93 new houses in Drumnadrochit thrown out by Highland Council after unanimous vote against it at meeting in Inverness

Springfield Properties have been resoundingly refused planning permission for a development of 93 homes in Drumnadrochit.

Two applications were up for consideration by Highland Council, which drew 13 objections from locals and Glenurquhart Community Council.

The developments included 69 residential units of between two and four bedroom houses and 24 affordable units of three bedroom houses to one bedroom flats.

But the plans fell foul of the community council which warned that the proposal was an example of over-development.

In its objection it said “the amount of development for site and settlement are higher than allocated”, and raised concerns about over-development of the site, the rate of development in the area, and also the visual impact on the village as a result of the housing’s layout and density. They also objected to the extent green space being retained or provided.

Highland councillor Ben Thompson underlined that the monotonous style of the plans were a problem based on previous experience. He said: “I have a lot of sympathy for the objections. I think it may have been the same developer when we went on a site visit to Nairn and [saw] the very extensive housing there. And it was the sixth or seventh development in that area.

“It was very similar, a very basic layout, almost consistently the same housing style – unit after unit after unit after unit. And I actually thought it was fairly dispiriting the way the development had gone on over time and opportunities had been missed to do something much better.”

Councillor Margaret Davidson pursued a motion to refuse which was unanimously agreed by the south planning committee. She said: “It is contrary to the Highland-wide development plan as it does not conform to the character of Drumnadrochit village, due to the density, layout and individual design.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.