Plans have been approved for a major urban expansion project in Inverness.

The Highland Council's City of Inverness Area Committee has today, 31 May, given the go-ahead for the Inverness East Development Brief to be developed.

The initiative sets out an ambitious masterplan that identifies land for new facilities including a district park, sports facilities at Inverness Campus, a new urban centre, two new primary schools and a high school, and high quality walking and cycling connections, as well as up to 3,000 new homes.

The Brief was developed through extensive consultation with residents, community groups, businesses, public agencies, developers and in particular young people via workshops, public exhibitions and engagement events as well as on-line surveys.

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The plan, which is already in use as material consideration for planning applications, will now be submitted to Scottish Ministers for clearance to adopt as part of the Local Development Plan.

Provost Cllr Helen Carmichael said: "Councillors welcome these major steps forward which support the Council's Programme priorities under 'A Place to Live' to provide affordable new homes and facilities that promote resilient and sustainable communities while regenerating our city.

"Inverness East is the next major urban expansion of the city, and it is important that it is developed in a way that works for existing and new communities. Officers involved local communities from an early stage to develop a Brief that prioritises walking; cycling and public transport and will ensure the creation of great new places to live, work and visit.

"I would like to thank everyone who took part in the process and became involved in the consultation and engagement events, in particular the young people at Inverness College, Culloden Academy and Culloden Youth Forum who contributed to the preparation of this exciting master plan. Throughout the process we received feedback from a broad cross section of the community and I thank anyone who took part at any of the stages for their contribution."

(LM/MH)