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Storm over homes plan for Drakies





Drakies development
Drakies development

RESIDENTS fear being unable to sell their homes if 24 towering two and three-storey homes are built on neighbouring greenbelt in Inverness.

An online petition is being mooted against the proposed Drakies House development between Culcabock Avenue and Drakies Avenue.

Planning permission has already been granted for 12 homes on a nearby plot south of the mansion.

Culcabock and Drakies Community Council has been given extra time to register its response to the latest plans to develop on the other side of the B-listed house.

Residents have cited "over development, loss of privacy" and access problems if the vision became a reality.

The land owner Roddy Matheson is seeking "planning in principle" for detached villas, town houses, semi-detached homes and flats on the three acres.

After complaints the proposal was lodged in a holiday period, Highland Council has allowed community councillors an extended period (August 20) to comment. The developers have promised public consultation.

Hywel Stewart (63), a third generation resident, said: "As proposed, the sheer height of these buildings would overshadow and ruin a village that’s been there hundreds of years.

"Financially, a lot of people would be worse off. If they want to move, who’s going to want to buy a house that’s loomed over by these new homes? Every corner of the town is already being developed for housing."

In responses already received by Highland Council, one resident warns of a threat to the "historic character" of the place and parking limits likely to leave people parking their vehicles further afield.

A proposed pathway is also cited as posing a potential danger because of "a blind corner" and lack of a pavement.

Another complaint is that a new junction to accommodate the development, near Raigmore Hospital, may affect the flow of emergency vehicles to and from the hospital.

Gary Johnston of architects and planning consultants GH Johnston pointed out that the site is zoned in the local plan for low density housing.

"We’ve respected that. And the numbers shown are exactly as indicated in the approved local plan," he said.

"There’s no mention of height in the local plan but this is an ‘in principle’ application and the details will be dealt with after consultation with the public and the council."

The site is currently accessed from Culcabock Avenue which connects with the B9006 Culcabock Road to the north.

The developers acknowledge "there is no footway to the west and no opportunity for this to be provided given the width of the road and the existing building/garden frontages".

If approved, the main access would be via Old Perth Road.


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