Nethy Bridge split over merit of proposed home
A single house has split opinion in a strath village.
Planners have recommended approval of the home in Nethy Bridge despite six objections but seven people have also pledged their support.
The house is to be built on the north side of the Allt Mor, near Mill Croft, a second home, and The Maltings holiday let.
Objectors have said the site is farmland and building on it will spoil the character of the area while supporters have argued it is "scrubland" with no farming value and that the house will bring positive investment to the rural area.
Highland Council’s south planning applications committee will decide the fate of the in-principle application by Mr J Fraser when it meets on Tuesday.
A report for the committee by planning officer Ken McCorquodale recommends councillors give the application the green light, describing it as a "valuable development opportunity".
"The site is located within a cluster of local housing where existing infrastructure has capacity to provide for further development," the report stated.
"It is also within a relatively secluded location given the topography of the surrounding land and for both of these reasons the proposal presents a valuable development opportunity.
"However, the site and its use for a single house is not without some constraints, all of which need to be addressed."
The main areas of concern related to improving the access track, recognising flood risks, the need to provide waste collection facilities and protecting the rural nature.
The report added: "These matters can be taken into account through the development and construction processes and do not present a barrier to supporting this application in principle.
"From the council’s perspective the application is not in conflict with the development plan."
