Residents and businesses are being encouraged to take part in further engagement on a possible Masterplan Consent Area at Essich Road in Inverness as The Highland Council continues work to accelerate the delivery of new homes and infrastructure.
The engagement follows a previous event held on Monday 19 January and forms part of a wider council programme aimed at addressing long standing housing delivery challenges across Highland.
Masterplan Consent Areas allow councils to set advance planning consent for large or complex sites in order to simplify the planning process, reduce delivery times, and provide communities with clearer expectations of how areas may develop.
At its November meeting, the council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed to progress several MCAs across Highland as part of a broader strategy to unlock housing growth.
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said:
“We are very grateful for the engagement we have received so far from the local community on the possible MCA.
“Over the course of the first engagement event, we recorded an attendance of approximately 85 people.
“It was encouraging to see so much keen interest in the topic, to gather constructive feedback and to understand the community’s concerns.
“By opening the conversation early and continuing the engagement, we are ensuring that local voices guide the direction of change from the very beginning.”
The emerging proposal for Essich Road focuses on a residential development of up to 400 homes alongside green spaces and essential infrastructure.
Tulloch Homes Ltd has been identified as the prospective developer for the site.
Further face to face engagement events are being organised to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share views.
The second engagement event will take place on Thursday 19 February at the Culduthel Christian Centre between 3pm and 8pm.
Comments can also be submitted by email, through paper feedback forms at the event, or via face to face discussions.
The deadline for feedback on the possible Masterplan Consent Area at Essich Road is 31 March 2026.
Further background information and supporting materials can be found on the Council’s Plan Delivery webpage
