Planning in principle proposal lodged by Springfield Properties PLC for business and retail development in Black Isle community of Tore
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INITIAL proposals for a multimillion-pound business and retail development that could dramatically transform a rural part of Ross-shire have been tabled.
But developers eyeing a site on the Black Isle look set to face stiff opposition from local residents uneasy at the scale of the scheme which would include a business park, food retail and a 61-bedroom hotel as well as the prospect of significant residential development down the line.
Springfield Properties PLC has tabled a planning permission in principle bid for land at Bogroy Farmhouse at Tore.
It is described as a business, retail and community development at Tore South (Black Isle Gateway) and covers a 17.15-hectare site.
The construction and operation of a business park and low carbon industrial hub comprising up to 325m2 of food retail, 2786m2 of business use, up to 7432m2 of industrial use and up to 7432m2 of storage and distribution space is envisaged.
Also proposed is a hotel with up to 61 bedrooms, 100 car parking spaces, park and ride, access, roads, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure.
Springfield said in documents lodged with the proposals: "The indicative Development Framework Plan, informed by the preceding assessment of constraints and opportunities, has been refined to demonstrate a change in approach from primarily a housing-led development proposal to the delivery of the main non-housing element of the project first.
"Within this context, it is the intention to seek planning permission in principle for a range of non-housing development in the area outlined."
One member of the public who commented following an earlier consultation observed: "The end game is to develop Tore into a suburb of Inverness."
Planning permission in principle is a type of application that allows a proposal to be assessed without having to give the details of the layout, design or finish of any buildings. These would be required in a more detailed proposal.
