Housing needs not being met in village near Loch Ness, say disappointed community leaders
Glen Urquhart Community Council is disappointed that amended plans for 47 new homes on a site in Drumnadrochit have been approved - subject to conditions - by the Scottish Reporter following an appeal.
It says the plans, submitted by Springfield Properties, reduce the number of houses and increases average house size and price from what was originally proposed.
It comes amid growing concerns, highlighted by the Inverness Courier, about a shortage of affordable housing plus the impact of short-term let properties in the area which draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, providing a massive boost to the local economy.
Call for more affordable homes and sensitivity over short-term lets
Approval for 47 new homes near Loch Ness
Highland Council rejects plan for 47 new homes in Drumnadrochit
Springfield Properties has already delivered 35 homes just off the A82 in Drumnadrochit.
Its proposal for the next phases, including 47 private and affordable homes, was refused by Highland Council in February but the decision was overturned following an appeal.
But the community council says the developer’s approach to the site disregards the needs of the community.
It says in a recent Local Place Plan consultation, 30 per cent of respondents noted the need for two-bedroom accommodation whereas the amended application reduced this type of accommodation by 11 per cent.
Dianne Fraser, community council chairperson, said: “The community is very disappointed in this decision and disappointed in what it means for our community.
“Like all Highland communities, Drumnadrochit and Glen Urquhart have a shortage of housing for locals.
“We launched a housing needs survey in partnership with the Communities Housing Trust and to get confirmed data on housing needs for our community.
“Our initial community survey completed as part of our Local Place Plan preparation has confirmed need for more housing - and affordable housing and housing for locals.”
She continued: “The Glen Urquhart community – like all Scottish Highland communities – wants and needs housing that is sympathetic to the Highland village location and the housing needs of the community.
“Housing issues noted by Drumnadrochit are similar to other villages across the Highlands – with many locals unable to afford housing and large portion of housing stock being redirected to short terms lets.”
The survey results are expected to be available next month.
The community council also said the initial development plan for the site noted requirements to include high quality of architectural design respecting the site’s prominent tourist route location, landscaped to setback from A82 including stone dyke feature and remote footpath/cycle path and green corridor to retain and frame public vistas.
But it maintained the site had been left unfinished and undeveloped.
Vice chairman Bill Smart pointed out the Scottish Government reporter was “minded” to allow Springfield’s appeal and grant planning permission subject to 30 conditions.
The reporter had deferred determination of the appeal for up to 12 weeks to enable an amended planning obligation restricting or regulating the development or use of the land to be completed. The reporter also said the planning obligation should also continue to address the education, roads and affordable housing requirements.
“If this does go ahead there are three big things we as a community would like to make sure are enforced,” Mr Smart said.
“One, the gateway feature, two, the servicing and landscaping of the commercial area and three, substantial attention and detail to providing public art and landscaping becoming to our beautiful village in line with Highland Council guidelines.”
Springfield managing director, Dave Main, said the company had approval to deliver more high quality, energy efficient homes to meet housing demand in Drumnadrochit.
“The Scottish Government has declared a national housing crisis and it is abundantly clear that we need more homes across Scotland, including in communities across the Highlands,” he said.
“We know there are local people in Drumnadrochit that are excited by these plans because they want to stay in the village.
“This development gives those people the opportunity to stay close to friends and family whilst the construction will support local trades and suppliers, leaving a positive economic impact.
“As with any planning approval it is standard practise for the approval to be granted alongside conditions and we are working through these with Highland Council.”
It would shortly restart work on the site and looked forward to building new homes for the many people who wanted to call Drumnadrochit home.
