Contentious plans for a new prison on the outskirts of Inverness are to be aired at a community council meeting this evening.
The prison service lodged a pre-planning application last month, revealing its proposal to build a new purpose-built facility near Milton of Leys to the south of Inverness, next to the A9.
The scheme has proved controversial so far with a petition set up in opposition having attracted more than 560 signatures as of last night.
The application will be discussed in public for the first time this evening at a meeting of Inverness South Community Council tonight.
Local councillor Ken Gowans said there were “completely understandable” concerns from local residents.
He added: “Ever since this proposal came to light, it has caused enormous anger and anguish in the local community and general community of Inverness.
“This is because of the potential impact, not just on Milton of Leys residents, but also on the gateway to Inverness from the A9.”
He said he was expecting a larger than normal turnout at the community council to discuss the plans and is also meeting with residents at Balvonie Braes ahead of the meeting.
Inverness South Community Council secretary and planning spokesman, Bob Roberts, said that the prison plans had to be discussed as a local application.
He said: “It will be raised, but until we have more detail on what the prison service are planning, I don’t know if there’s much we can say.
“It will be raised as part of a normal meeting. I have received correspondence from the prison service, so we need to raise it.”
The prison service are not expected to be represented at tonight’s meeting, but officials have been invited to attend a community council event in June.
This will follow a series of public consultation events, organised by the service in Milton of Leys and Inshes.
The prison service has been trying to find a new site to relocate to from the ageing HMP Inverness near the city centre.
Previously, the service had looked at the former Longman landfill site and also on land near the new Inverness Campus.
HMP Inverness, also known as Porterfield, is unsuitable to redevelopment and has been criticised for overcrowding and a lack of facilities.
The prison service has said that a new facility would allow them to remedy these issues.
The community council meeting will be held at Inshes Primary School from 7pm.