Housing plan for Merkinch deferred

A DECISION on plans to build 38 affordable flats in Merkinch has been deferred after councillors demanded an official from its transport environment and community (TEC) services attend the meeting.

Albyn Housing Society has applied to Highland Council for four and five-storey flats in Anderson Street, on a site across from Gael Force Marine.

At a planning committee this week, Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said traffic was a concern for Merkinch Community Council and voiced his disappointment that no representative from TEC services was at the meeting to discuss the issue.

Aird and Loch Ness councillor Margaret Davidson and Inverness South councillor John Holden both supported calls to defer until the next meeting when a representative could attend.

"It’s unacceptable," said Councillor Davidson.

"We meet for two to three hours every five to six weeks."

Inverness provost Jimmy Gray, chairman of the planning committee, agreed to defer the decision until the next meeting when a TEC services official would be available.