Loch Ness-side village housing plan sparks flooding and privacy concerns; residents raise objections over proposals by Highland Council for site in Dores
Flooding and privacy fears have been raised after plans for 17 new homes in Dores sparked a number of local objections.
Highland Council is seeking to build a mix of 17 homes which will be a mix of semi-detached, detached and cottage flats.
If approved the new estate would be built on a field situated on higher ground to the east of Drumashie Lodge and steading and south of Dores Parish Church. The field has been zoned for mixed development, including housing, in the current local development plan.
But the development, which would take some of its design ‘inspiration’ from the nearby lodge buildings, have sparked a number of objections since they were first lodged.
Among them are Highland Council's own flood risk management team, which has issued a holding objection citing a need for more information over the potential flash flooding risk posed by run-off from the site's slope.
They said: "The site is on a relatively steep slope and so the properties may be at risk from surface water runoff/overland flow from above.
"The applicant will need to provide details of any measures that will be implemented to manage this risk, including appropriate freeboard on the finished floor levels of the properties."
They added that they would be objecting to the proposed housing "until [this] information is provided for review".
A number of Dores residents have also voiced their objections, citing a range of concerns - from loss of privacy due to building height and proximity to flooding and a lack of amenities in Dores to accommodate the extra population.
Dores resident Andrew Green cited concerns over the way some properties will overlook existing housing, impacting privacy. He said: “We object primarily on the grounds of loss of privacy and amenity due to the proximity and height of the proposed development and the detrimental effect on the former manse, Drumashie Lodge.
“In particular we object to a block of eight "cottage flats" whose proposed position perfectly parallel and directly behind places the new dwellings within a few metres of the entire rear Drumashie Lodge.
“[The lodge] is cut into hillside with a steep bank at the rear which will afford unobstructed and highly intrusive views from multiple large floor to ceiling windows from eight flats.”
He added: “Flats are not in keeping with the village of Dores and these proposals do not respect the rural aspect and amenity of the oldest and listed buildings in Dores.”
The inclusion of flats also sparked criticism from Dores resident Clare Cuthbertson: “The house designs do not reflect village views as expressed in the recent local consultation. There are currently no 'flats' in Dores and this addition is contrary to a village setting - more detached housing would be far more appropriate.2
She also added: “There are too many dwellings - more than the community ever intended or expected and the area is being overdeveloped with small house being positioned too close together.”
Other nearby residents also raised concerns over the way new buildings would impact on privacy, looking across into existing windows. Fears were also raised over the positioning of new footpaths.
Public feedback is still active. The application will be decided at a future date.
Find out more about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.
