Alness housebuilding plans tabled with Highland Council amid growing demand for family homes
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MOVES to bring “highly sought-after” new family homes to an Easter Ross town will be considered by Highland Council planners in the coming weeks.
Developer Pat Munro Homes wants to build another 31 houses on land just west of Milnafua House in Alness, to the north-east of the town.
This would complete phases three and four of its Newfield North and Whitehills North developments, bringing the number of properties in the estate to 65.
The latest homes would feature a mix of three- and four-bedroom, two-storey villas, as well as two- and three-bedroom bungalows.
Phase one, approved in summer 2019, saw the creation of 19 new properties, as well as drainage and infrastructure for future phases.
Phase two, approved in September last year, added another 15 houses to the development.
Phases three and four would complete the venture although further land nearby is zoned for future housing development.
The land was first purchased by the developer in 1970 after the firm Comben Homes went into receivership.
Hamish Little, development manager of Pat Munro, described the properties as suitable for young and growing families and those looking to downsize.
He added: “Each property will be carefully and exclusively designed to provide first class accommodation whilst satisfying the demands of modern living. Pat Munro Homes is committed to developing in smaller settlements across the Highlands, improving rural economies and building sustainable communities for future generations.
“The new housing builds on the success of Newfield North and Whitehills North phases one and two, bringing much-needed family homes to the ever growing and successful village of Alness.”
The new developments have been broadly welcomed by local councillors and Cromarty Firth representative Carolyn Wilson, who lives and works in the town, said: “It is a rolling programme of housebuilding in what has been a very successful development. Lots of young families and a real mix of people overall have relocated to these houses.
“They are high-quality homes that are highly sought-after. There is huge demand and they can’t build them fast enough. It is much-needed to meet the growing population here.”
The application, which has a determination deadline of May 30, would incorporate communal green space and a shared pedestrian and traffic surface.
It would also feature a safe route to school, a footpath and cycle link, including access to nearby woodland.
