Inverness planning application sets out vision for 381 new homes close to the River Ness

Plans to build more than 350 further homes near the River Ness have taken a step forward.

Ness Valley Leisure is proposing the development "and associated infrastructure and open space" on land at Ness-side.

Last September a spokesperson for Mabbett, the applicant's agent, said that, following a public consultation period, it was now “preparing for the application for planning permission in principle.”

That stage has now been reached, with further detailed plans submitted to Highland Council planners for consideration.

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Their proposals now suggest the creation of 381 homes in a mix of tenures and types on a site immediately southwest of Lochardil, on the south side of the city.

Situated within an area identified by local development plans as “strategic growth areas” it is also adjacent, to the north, to a separate site being developed by Tulloch Homes in three tranches to create a total of 767 new homes.

The River Ness sits to the west, with Dores Road running along the south-eastern boundary.

The developer stated: “A supermarket and infrastructure including the West Link Distributor Road, roundabouts and landscaping also feature locally.

“Local schools are available including the newly opened Ness Castle Primary School.”

They added: “Sustainable, resource and energy-efficient homes will be provided that are accompanied by suitable levels of car and cycle parking, landscaping, and bin storage.

“Residential amenity provided by good private gardens and generous public open spaces while SUDs (sustainable drainage systems) and roads and footways would be a safe space for pedestrians first. The surrounding deciduous woodland would be retained and enhanced.”

Providing more details on how the development would actually look it sets out how blocks of flats would be built along Holm Burn and River Ness “to take advantage of views”, with town villas, including potential commercial spaces at ground floor level, would “define the edges of proposed public squares.”

What they call “Market Square” would be located at the heart of the development as a space designed for community events while “Green Square” would consist of “a green park overlooked by surrounding buildings”.

The proposals also include a potential community facility with suggestions of a retirement village or medical centre, with planners adding “early discussions are under way with NHS Highland on this”.

The developers insist: “The site at Ness-Side is wholly within the settlement envelope of the city.

“Its development would work alongside and consolidate the pattern of recent house building in the area.

“Densities proposed would not be out of kilter with those recently constructed.

“Its development would support local services and facilities. There would be no net loss of amenity or recreation areas.”

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