Plans to build housing development in Inverness withdrawn
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A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to demolish a riverside house in Inverness and build six new flats and two houses in its place has been withdrawn.
Lochardil and Drummond Community Council were informed of the developer’s decision by letter, saying the planning application in principle for Abysinia, 25 Island Bank Road, Inverness, was no longer progressing.
The community council had raised a number of concerns about the application, backed up by other consultees who did not want to see the property demolished.
The building was constructed between 1903 and 1929, and was described as a “low key” development by the Historic Environment team at Highland Council.
In a letter to the council outlining its concerns about the proposed development, community council chairwoman Maria De La Torreag had said: “We have strong concerns that demolishing this building will lead to an erosion of the qualities of the Riverside Conservation Area, and will set a precedent for further demolition of adjacent buildings.
“As it stand this application represents an over-development of the site.”
She said this week that the withdrawal of the application was the “correct decision”.
If any future application is lodged for the site objectors will have to formally raise their concerns again.
