Approval for new town between Inverness and Nairn is granted

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 20/09/2012 02:05

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new town between Inverness and Nairn have been backed by councillors in the Highlands.

Last month, the local authority’s south area planning committee approved the 5,000 home development at Tornagrain, by Moray Estates, without the application being taken to a vote.

The application was referred to a meeting of the council’s main planning, environment and development committee yesterday, after several councillors demanded that it be
re-examined.

The development application was approved by 17 votes to three, paving the way for a new town with a population of up to 10,000 to be developed on the A96 corridor site over the next 30 to 40 years.

Councillor Jimmy Gray, the council’s convener, led calls for the application to be granted. He said the development was a “unique application” which would involve the council in the establishment of a new settlement from scratch.

He said: “We’ve got 10,000 people on our waiting lists across Highland and a lot of people are looking for homes. This is one of the best developments we have had before us in this chamber.”