FHR Estates' shops plans in Milton of Leys in Inverness given the green light by Highland Council
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Plans for new shops in Milton of Leys have been given the go-ahead by Highland Council, subject to a number of conditions.
The planning application was submitted by FHR Estates for up to five new units in Leys Square.
However, according to the decision notice, permission has been granted for just four units and planners have ordered a variation to the car parking layout to remove parking spaces within the road verge to the south of the existing car park.
In addition, the developer will have to submit full details of a covered communal bike storage facility before work on the development begins as well as several other conditions.
The application is for a site 45m south-east of an existing shop unit in the square – there are already four shops at the site including a Co-op, two takeaways and a pharmacy.
As part of the planning consultation process Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council was generally supportive but raised a number of concerns about the proposal.
The concerns included the types of businesses which would occupy the units and the group suggested that they should enhance the community – such as a hairdressers or a doctor’s surgery.
They also felt that the proposed cycle storage should be in line with the active travel agenda of both Highland Council and the Scottish Government.
According to the plans, a proposed customer cycle facility is located to the north of the site next to an existing one and a transport planning spokesman objected to this because it was inaccessible and not easy to find.
