Neighbours of a controversial housing development in Inverness have criticised the “ridiculous” lack of facilities included in the scheme.
Barratt North Scotland has applied to build 82 houses near the Asda superstore at Slackbuie, but local residents are objecting to the plans.
It is proposed for a site immediately next to land where 60 homes and a restaurant are being built by another developer, and near a field earmarked for another 80 new homes.
Local councillor Ken Gowans said the total of 222 homes for the three sites represents nearly 1,000% more than the 24 houses envisaged in the local development plan.
Residents of the nearby County Cottages have now joined Inverness South Community Council in raising concerns.
Anne Thom, who lives in the cottages, said: “We’re not happy at all. That site was for a mixed development and there are no facilities proposed whatsoever.
“It will just put an additional strain on the community. The schools are already at capacity and many are capped.
“Where are all the children going to go? There are lots of issues, the transport links for one. Even the access into the site we think is a danger.
“It’s just ridiculous, and the houses are going to be overlooked. We just feel that we’ve been kept out of the loop.”
The developer Barratt North Scotland said its plans for 82 homes on fields and scrubland bounded on the west by Culduthel Road, near where the route meets the Southern Distributor Road at the Leys Roundabout, has previously received detailed planning approval for 82 properties.
But Mr Gowans said: “There are a whole raft of issues. We could end up with 1,000% above what is in the local development plan.
“It will completely undermine the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.
“If you relate this to the pressures in Inverness schools, this is precisely some of the reason why we have these problems. It will be exacerbating the problem.
“And how are these kids going to cross the distributor road?”
Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Developments in Scotland, said: “Our proposed site is in an area specifically set aside for residential development, and as such, it has already received detailed planning approval for 82 properties.
“This approval also took into account access to local services such as schooling and transport.
“Our current proposal for 82 homes is a plot substitution and does not alter the terms and conditions of the original approved plan.”