Questions raised by Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council on proposed shops in Leys Square in Inverness – plans have been submitted to Highland Council by FHR Estates Ltd for up to five additional units
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An Inverness community council has raised a number of questions over a proposed retail development.
Plans have been submitted to Highland Council by FHR Estates Ltd for up to five new units in Milton of Leys.
It is for a site 45m south-east of an existing shop unit in Leys Square – there are already four shops at the site including a Co-op, two takeaways and a pharmacy.
The plans are for two buildings at the site which covers an area of 2493 square metres and was described as vacant land with planning approval for commercial units.
In addition, there would be an extra five car parking spaces, bringing the total there up to 64, as well as two spaces for motorcycles and a bin compound to the rear of the development.
As part of the planning consultation process, Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council sent a response to Highland Council.
A spokesman for the residents group said: “The community council is generally supportive of this application. There are, however, some queries.”
The community council has asked that action should be taken to ensure that any businesses which occupy the units will enhance the community such as a hairdressers or a doctor’s surgery.
It also raised concerns over cycle storage and asked that it should be in line with the active travel agenda of both Highland Council and the Scottish Government.
The spokesman said: “If additional car parking is to be created with all the groundworks involved, the proposed nose-to-tail parking is often difficult to use and end-on parking or slanted bays would make more sense as being easier to use and would give more spaces. These additional spaces may be needed as there seems to be no provision for staff parking.”
The community council has also raised concerns over a recycling facility at the site, with the spokesman adding: “Is there a
plan for siting the bottle bank?”
Highland Council’s transport planning team has also raised concerns over cycle parking, with a spokesman saying: “A cycle facility is shown on the car parking arrangement drawing.
“We have reviewed the information submitted and haven’t identified any staff cycle facilities.
“A suitable sized secure and covered staff cycle storage facility per retail unit is required.”
According to the plans, a proposed customer cycle facility is located to the north of the site next to an existing one and the transport planning spokesman said they objected because they were inaccessible and not easy to find.
