Residents in Inverness have their say over proposal for 800 new homes on the old Fairways golf course in the south of the city
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Members of the public had a chance to have their say over plans for up to 800 new homes in Inverness today.
Kirkwood Homes is hoping to build the properties on the old Fairways golf course with up to 25 per cent classed as affordable housing.
Today's public consultation event was held at the nearby Fairways Golf Centre and Restaurant this afternoon and into the early evening.
Organisers said they were expecting between 15 and 20 residents who had expressed an interest in attending.
Aaron Macaskill, Kirkwood's technical director, said the proposed scheme also included a school, a nine-hole golf course, as well as commercial units.
The original planning application to Highland Council was submitted in March last year and they have previously held online consultation events.
He said they had taken the feedback and brought in changes to the plans. He added: "It's good to have an opportunity to speak to the public."
Mr Macaskill said they were hoping to be able to submit a new planning application in the autumn once they had reviewed the latest feedback.
The latest proposal is for 45 per cent of the site to be redeveloped with the rest kept as green spaces.
Ewan Maclean, a planning consultant, said that previously they had received numerous responses to the proposed development – with some in favour but the majority of people were opposed to the scheme because of the loss of green spaces.
He said: "The whole point of the pre-application process is to listen to the public."
Trevor Martin, the chairman of Slackbuie Community Council, said when the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan was also open for public comments more than 60 comments were submitted supporting the decision to retain the Fairways area as designated green space with one against.
He added: "These comments of support accounted for around 30 per cent of all comments posted on the Inner Moray Firth Development Plan, demonstrating the strength of feeling locally that this precious wedge of green space should not be destroyed.
"I have spoken last week to the Highland Council planning department who have confirmed the council has completed the Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan which sets out the policies and land allocations to guide development in the Inner Moray Firth area over the next 20 years.
"Contained within this document the land at Fairways has been adopted and protected as Green Space.
"The Highland Council in the Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan have provided more than adequate provision for new Housing Development in other areas of Inverness to meet all future needs without using this strategic open and green space in the [heart] of the city."
David Sutherland, a local resident and former chairman of Tulloch Homes, said he felt the team had produced an excellent proposal.
Annette Sharland, from neighbouring Druid Temple Road, said her main concerns were over the potential flood risk as well as an increase in traffic using the A8082 Southern Distributor Road.
Ken Ross, from Castle Heather Avenue, said his home backed onto the Southern Distributor Road and he was planning to "object strongly" against the plans.
He said: "There will be additional noise and traffic which is ridiculous. It is a high flooding risk and it will be a loss of good amenity land. I am not for it at all."
Richard Desmond, from Slackbuie, said he had previously objected to the plans and there were currently thousands of new homes being proposed for Inverness. He added: "Previously there was a lot of negative feedback."
He said that Highland Council had previously said it wanted to "green Inverness up" and added: "The council said this golf course is the green heart of the city and it will never be developed."
• Members of the public have until June 3 to submit their comments.
