Plans for a major new housing development and a family restaurant on a prominent Inverness gap site have been recommended for approval by council planners.
Aberdeen-based developer Kirkwood Homes and Tweed Estates have applied to build 60 houses on land close to the city’s Asda supermarket at Slackbuie.
The plans will considered by councillors next week, with officials suggesting the plans should be given the go ahead.
The plans involve building on fields above Asda with access being taken from the roundabout outside the supermarket.
Three objections were raised against the scheme, with nearby residents concerned about pedestrian and cycle access and a loss of the land for potential community use.
Inverness South Community Council did not object to the plans but has raised some concern over the increased number of housing units from the development plan for the area, which suggested 36 properties as a limit for the site.
The proposal includes 15 affordable homes and a new Marston’s restaurant with an outdoor garden area and play area.
The restaurant chain has previously suggested that the development could support 48 full-time jobs.
It would be Marston’s first restaurant in the north – while it would also be Kirkwood Homes first development in the Highland capital.
Allan Rae, land director at Kirkwood Homes Ltd, said: ‘”We warmly welcome the officers recommendation to approve our application. Over the last 9 months we have worked closely with the Highland Council, Tweed Estates (New Land Assets), Marstons and other stakeholders to bring forward a development which we believe will deliver high quality new homes, increased choice in the housing market, affordable housing, employment opportunities and a much needed restaurant and pub facility for the area.
“We are very excited about bringing forward our first development in Inverness with this site and have another proposal coming forward at Essich Road in the near future.
“We very much look forward to continuing to develop our business in the city.”
In her report planning officer Nicola Drummond said the development is the “final phase” of development within the area and welcomed the “much needed” housing in the area.
She also welcomed the bar and restaurant element of the plans, which she said would deliver the “anticipated community/business use within the Slackbuie neighbourhood centre”.