Concerns aired over plans for nearly 100 houses in Carrbridge
Carrbridge Community Council has detailed their chief concerns over Tulloch Homes’ proposal for nearly 100 new homes at the south end of the village.
Following a recent public meeting on the plans, which was attended by more than 60 locals, the community council members have prepared a pre-consultation response for the proposed scheme for Carr Road and Main Road.
Secretary Kate Adamson said on the group’s behalf in their response seen by the "Strathy" that traffic safety on Carr Road was one of their biggest concerns.
"One third of the questions and comments addressed the issue of Carr Road and traffic. There is considerable concern over safety, and this is one of our ‘Safer Routes to School’," she stated.
"There is no pavement, and the width of the road precludes one being constructed.
"Assurances were given that the traffic survey results said that the road was adequate for the anticipated future traffic, and also for the construction vehicles – we noted that the survey was done in April and October, omitting our busy summer period when traffic would have been heavier.
"When we think of the safety of our children, the adequacy of the road is viewed as being very doubtful, and sincere concerns still exist amongst the majority of Carrbridge residents."
On the question of affordable housing, there was a thumbs-up for its integration into the developments: "Therefore the preference is for half the affordable houses to be opposite Landmark Forest Park and half to be along Carr Road."
While the building at the main site would be staggered, the community council members had noted that the affordable houses would all be built at once. They have suggest an alternative.
"If the affordable houses were sited as we suggest they could also be staggered, which would allow most of the houses to be allocated to local people from Badenoch and Strathspey, who have adequate ‘need points’, including local criteria points," they said.
Having considered the effect on the village and its amenities by the phasing of the new build, the submission points out: "Carrbridge is considered by its residents as a ‘friendly’ village, and it is a rural community with special culture and environment.
"Amalgamation of the people from the large new development will be smoother and easier over 10-plus years, rather than a shorter period. In all communities there are fluctuations in the size of the intakes into the school, and these are bound to show yearly increases."
There was also a warning over the density of housing: "In a village environment such as that found in Carrbridge, a development with urban density would not incorporate well into the village."
Bracewell Stirling Consulting will receive the submission on behalf of Tulloch Homes.
The company has been conducting a pre-application consultation exercise into the proposal to build 72 private houses and 26 low-cost homes on land south of Carr Road and east of the B9153.
