Flats for students given go-ahead

Plans for nearly 200 new student flats across the Highlands were given the go-ahead by councillors yesterday.

Some150 scholars will be housed in two blocks of flats at the new Inverness Campus under plans from developer Robertson Property, on behalf of the University of the Highlands andIslands. Meanwhile the same company won permission for a 40-bed block near Lidl supermarket in Camanachd Crescent, Fort William.

The Inverness campus scheme includes threestorey buildings, which will be housed on plot 7 on the Beechwood site. They will include 112 single bedrooms, 30studiosandeight so- called “accessible rooms”.

All bedrooms have ensuite shower rooms and “cluster flats” will comprise six single bedrooms, a shared kitchen and living room. The two blocks will be linked by a central single-storey reception area. Heating will be provided by a biomass boiler. There will be 30 parking spaces and space for students to store their bicycles.

Councillors at the south planningapplicationscommittee unanimously approved the proposals.

The newly approved scheme for Fort William has increased the number of flats from 32 to 40.

They will be housed within a three storey building. Fort William Community Council raised concerns about the materials proposed, including the larch cladding. However planners said that the chosen materials were acceptable.