Thirty new houses could be built in the centre of a rapidly growing Black Isle village, despite concern from local residents.
An application for the new houses in the Glascairn area of Culbokie will be considered by a meeting of Highland Council’s north planning committee next week.
However, residents nearby have raised concern over additional traffic caused by the development and a potential flood risk caused by tarring the area.
Landowner Anthea Whitehead has applied for planning permission in principle to build housing.
A detailed planning application giving the layout and design of the development would have to be made before work could start.
The area is zoned for housing under the council’s Inner Moray Firth development plan – and north area planning manager Dafydd Jones has recommended that councillors approve the plans in principle.
Three local residents have objected ahead of the committee meeting next week.
Peter MacDonald, whose own home overlooks the land, said he was concerned about houses being built without other infrastructure.
He said: “I’m not against building houses but there needs to be consideration of other facilities as well.
“We have one shop which doubles up as the post office. There’s not much to do and people just live here before shooting off to Inverness or Dingwall.
“There’s not much to promote community.”
Objectors also raise concern about the potential for surface water run-off and the junction between Glascairn Road and the B9169
Highland Council’s transport team have also specified conditions that improvements are made to Glascairn Road and the B9169 road through the village to increase visibility.
No issues have been raised from within the council or other statutory consultees about flooding.
Glascairn Road would be used as the main access.
The land is currently open area to the south of the shop in the centre of the village.
Part of the site is currently subject of a bid by Culbokie Community Trust, who want to buy land to build new recreational facilities.