A housebuilder’s vision of constructing 550 homes on an historic Inverness site will edge a step closer to reality next week when councillors consider revised plans for the timing of the phased development.
Robertson Homes has been transforming a 120-acre site surrounding the former Craig Dunain Hospital into luxury properties for which it was granted outline planning permission in 2005.
Highland Council’s south area planning committee will visit the site on Monday in an effort to visualise the impact on the area, amid some local concern of further development before debating the issues on Tuesday.
The company wants to extend the period of planning conditions governing the timescale for upgrading an access road and work on the listed, fire-damaged, former Craig Dunain Hospital building, Gleann Mor House.
The committee will also consider full planning permission for 51 homes and allow change of use and renovation of the former hospital into 56 residential units – all within the 550 total.
Planning officers have recommended approval for each application.
The process was deferred in March because of the planning committee’s insistence on a site visit.
Robertsons hopes to have 26 luxury townhouses and 30 executive apartments ready to move into next year.
Luxury homes in Gleann Mor House would feature bay windows, turrets and a raft of unique features.
The company says the homes would complement modern, spacious family homes it is building elsewhere on the site.
The first phase of restoring Gleann Mor House, comprising 12 luxury apartments, was completed in 2011.
Robertson Homes has since reconfigured its plans to replace many apartments with townhouses to maximise open space and landscaped gardens.
Its intention is to create a sustainable semi-rural community at Westercraigs including play facilities and green space. The overall development could create 100 jobs including tradesmen and senior managers.
More than 30 residents’ objections have been lodged, ranging from concerns about the loss of trees and impact on local wildlife to “over-development” and possible impact on amenity.
Robertson Homes managing director John Murphy said: “The development is line with the masterplan. It’s approved for the greater site.”
A total of 326 of the proposed 550 residential units on the site are already occupied.