Dingwall housing demolition phase two nears after planning hurdle cleared; new phase will see eight buildings levelled in Meiklefield area
Further derelict housing on a Dingwall estate is set to be demolished as part of an ongoing masterplan to transform housing in the heart of Ross-shire’s county town.
Work is already under way on the wider plan, which will eventually level 114 old homes and flats in the Meiklefield area and replace them with 117 new social housing units.
The first phase resulted in the demolition of the odd numbered homes from 1 to 23 in Meiklefield Road and work on new replacements.
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‘Momentous day’ for Dingwall housing estate
And now phase two of the demolition process, which will raze the even numbered homes up to number 48, is clear to proceed after passing an important planning hurdle.
Highland Council planners last week ruled that a prior approval application to carry out the demolition “is not required” - a formality which means there is nothing now preventing demolition teams from getting under way on these latest properties.
In all, phase two of the work will level eight buildings - containing more than two dozen flats and homes - in Meiklefield Road and Meiklefield Square.
Highland Council planners said: “It is proposed to demolish eight buildings on Meiklefield Road and Meiklefield Square in Dingwall as part of a phase two redevelopment plan for the Meiklefield area for housing purposes at a future date. There are seven two-storey structures containing terraced and flatted properties and one single storey semi-detached property to be demolished.
“A method of demolition statement was submitted to support the proposal and is acceptable. Given these are residential properties in a built-up area that were lived in until recently it is unlikely that bats would occupy any of the buildings.”
They added: “It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the development plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations.”
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