Developers defend plans for major housing scheme in Kingussie

Plans for a controversial new housing development in Kingussie which could eventually become home to as many as 750 people will breathe new life into the Badenoch town, it has been claimed.

Davall Developments Ltd has just submitted its detailed proposals for the first phase of up to 300 homes on land to the north, east and west of the town’s Dunbarry Terrace and Kerrow Drive.

The two directors of the company, Aviemore-based businessmen Allan Munro and David Cameron, have spoken publicly on why the new housing would be good news for the town and its economy.

The first phase is for 55 properties comprising 18 affordable two and three-bedroom Highland Council homes and 37 housing plots for the private market.

The pair also revealed the overall number of houses in the development would "in all probability" now be reduced by 20 per cent – 60 homes – by offering the plots rather than the company building them on the site, making 240 houses in total.

They said a "stimulus" was required for Kingussie’s businesses – not only for retail but construction.

"A development of this size will provide this," said Mr Munro, who lives in the town. "We have had some feedback from the local business community who have asked when this is going to commence because they need something to give the local shops and other commerce a boost as the town is suffering from a lack of investment.

"New housing would bring more people – more permanent residents – to spend more money locally.

"I have been informed that some people are alarmed by the thought of 300 new houses in a community the size of Kingussie and I can quite understand that concern.

"But this development is going to probably take 20 years – this is the Cairngorms National Park planning ahead for the next generation.

"I won’t be here to see this finished! It’s not a tomorrow development."

Mr Cameron explained: "The Cairngorms National Park Authority asked us – they did not make it a planning condition – to consider the local builders and developers as they cannot go in and buy 20 acres of land.

"They wanted us to support the local building industry by giving them a chance to buy some plots and that is exactly what we are doing."

A number of tradesmen in the town have come in behind Davall’s plans.

Stevie Borthwick, who has a local plumbing and heating business based in the town, said: "This development will provide a great opportunity for local young people to access a building site on which to build or get their own home.

"It’s very difficult for local young people like my son, Ryan, who is 21, to get on the housing market; quite often they move away. This scheme is important for the community to keep young people in the area."

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