Councillors give green light to 112-home scheme at Dornoch
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A scheme to build 112 new homes at Dornoch has been given the unanimous backing of Highland councillors.
Members of the North Planning Applications Committee, meeting in Inverness this morning, gave the green light to the Springfield Properties development, which is to go on an 8.6 hectare area of rough agricultural land north of Station Road.
Highland Council planners had also recommended that it be given approval.
The new homes are the third and fourth phases in an overall 194-unit development. Phase one is already fully built-out and phase two is under construction.
In total there will be 50 affordable units and the homes range from flats to four-bedroom units.
Planning officer Gillian Pearson acknowledged there had been various concerns from local people over the scheme.
In particular there were concerns over a link pedestrian and cycle access route from the development to the High Street via North Street and Gilchrist Square.
Ms Pearson said the concerns related to the safety of road users, the impact on the amenity, a potential increase in vandalism and concerns over residents on these two streets being “overlooked”.
But East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Richard Gale spoke out strongly in favour of the scheme.
He said: “This is the culmination of a 10-year plan, and it has from the outset stuck more or less to the original plan.
“It is really positive to see the growth in the Dornoch area and this project is offering affordable housing to local residents and encouraging people to move to the area, hopefully bringing in experience and creating employment.
“The active links to school are there and the paths are there and the amenities are there, although I would like to see more play areas.
“I have listened to the concerns of people who have raised objections but I think all of these concerns have been mitigated and I am happy to support the development.”
“It is a massive development for a small town like Dornoch but it will bring benefits to the area.”
Cllr Jan McEwan, Wick and East Caithness said: “I think it is very well thought-out and the designs are of a very high quality.
“Dornoch needs new housing and affordable housing."
“I was impressed that Safe Routes to School were included in the development and I am quite happy to support this application.”
