Plans revealed for 650 new homes east of Nairn
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A masterplan for a new village of 650 homes on the eastern fringes of Nairn is expected to be lodged with Highland Council planners next year.
Springfield Properties, which is nearing completion of more than 400 houses at its Lochloy development, has proposals for 650 homes on land at Balmakeith, Househill and Achnacloich.
The three sites total 250 acres and, if approved, will begin close to Sainsbury’s stretching out towards Auldearn, tying in with the new Nairn bypass, which is expected to start in the next few years.
Springfield Properties has reached agreement with the landowners and is putting the finishing touches to its blueprint which includes a 30-acre parkland.
Dave Main, north managing director at Springfield Properties, said: “Our vision is to create a sustainable neighbourhood within Nairn that feeds into the already thriving community.
"A neighbourhood that includes a range of apartments, houses and bungalows, across different tenures, so there is something for everyone.
"A place that could include business opportunities from local shops to cafés and hairdressers to nurseries so those living in the area have everything they need within 20 minutes of their home."
Mr Main added that the development would incorporate places for children to play, green open space, allotments, walking and cycle paths which feed into existing routes and tree-lined streets.
He said: “Springfield has designed a village that captures this vision – Nairn East.
“The master plan features approximately 650 new homes, including affordable which will help meet housing need in the region and it includes allocated land for a school, or a community hall, should there be a requirement for either.
“The plans are in keeping with the wider area of Nairn and will work in tandem with the approved Nairn bypass offering direct access from the new road to the proposed development streamlining the drive to Inverness or Elgin without increasing traffic through the town.”
Springfield has three villages well under way in Elgin, Dundee and Perth, a fourth in Stirling approved for planning and a fifth in Livingston with an application submitted for review.
Mr Main said: “Naturally, we are at very early stages in the process with Nairn East, however if successful with the development plan making process, we would be looking to submit detailed proposals to the Highland Council for consideration in summer 2022.”
