Appeal lodged by Aberdeen Standard Investments after Highland Council refuses application to renew planning permission for expansion at Inshes Retail Park
Developers wanting to renew planning permission for major expansion at an out-of-town retail park in Inverness have appealed against a decision by councillors to refuse the application.
Planning permission in principle to develop shops, a public house and restaurant, community allotments plus parking for 370 cars and new access roads next to Inshes retail park was given in 2017 following a public inquiry.
In March this year, Highland Council's south planning committee refused an application by Aberdeen Standard Investments for a three-year extension to enable further applications regarding planning conditions.
The council said it would have "a significantly adverse impact" on the vitality and viability of the city centre, which would be against local development plans.
It also maintained the development had not been demonstrated to be free from the one-in-200 year flood risk event.
But Aberdeen Standard Investments has refuted the reasons for refusal and lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA).
In a separate move, it has also submitted a further planning application to the council seeking to vary the existing planning conditions in the hope of attracting supermarket chain, Lidl, to the site.
In its appeal submission to the DPEA, it argues permission had been granted in line with development plan policies which had not altered since.
It states: "This submission has tested the council’s reason for refusal on retail grounds against policy and compared the council’s assessment of this proposal with other recent retail developments.
"The council’s reason for refusal does not stand up to scrutiny. The whole development has not been assessed by the council and no counter argument has been put forward suggesting that the city centre would be impacted greater than the 2.2 per cent estimated by the appellant which is not significant.
"There is no other information on retail impact in the process."
Aberdeen Standard Investments also maintains the land on which the proposed development would be sited is not liable to flooding. and notes a drainage impact assessment is required by condition.
It states: "In order to provide additional comfort on flood matters, an up to date flood study has been produced to counter the reason for refusal.
"This study confirms the previous conclusion of earlier flood studies."
The DPEA has yet to allocate a reporter to the appeal and has asked Highland Council to submit its response by July 18.
The period for interested members of the public to make representation ends on July 25.
Any representations received by the deadline will be passed to the planning authority and agent/appellant for their comments.
