Strathpeffer set for a major expansion
A 42- home housing development has been approved for Strathpeffer amid concerns of the cumulative impact of a number of development proposals on school rolls at the county’s biggest secondary.
The Highland Housing Alliance development, situated off Kinellan Drive on the outskirts of the village, will be made up of 15 two-bedroom homes and 27 three-bedroom properties.
While overwhelmingly approved by the area’s Highland Council planning committee this week, Dingwall and Seaforth Councillor Margaret Paterson voiced concerns that, taken with planned development in Dingwall, it would ramp up the pressure on schools. She said: “Don’t forget there is also a proposal for 500 houses with 150 already agreed to be built in Dingwall – that is going to put pressure on the school.”
Principal planning officer Simon Hindson said every development within the Dingwall Academy catchment area was making a contribution towards any future extension of the Academy.
He added: “The applicant is also going to make a contribution towards the delivery of Strathpeffer Community Park – which is an aspiration of the community. In the first instance they are delivering engineering advice free of charge and they will also be carrying out other work with them.”
