A large 23 hectare residential development on a highly constrained development site with extremely challenging topography in the shadows of Ben Nevis. We are working with JR Construction and Link Group in association with Highland Council and Lochaber Housing Association. The development will provide a loop road and over 300 residential dwellings with a mix of detached houses and cottage flats. The site will be developed over a 3-year phased programme.

The first phase of works comprises a significant infrastructure enabling package to serve the entire development; including a peat management strategy; all roads, footways, drainage and utilities; substructure for all units; and completion of up to 100 residential units which is due to start on site early 2022. Subsequent phases will build-out the remaining residential units.

Due to the significant slope and level change across the site, as well as the presence of peat, the foundation strategy required detailed analysis of proposed levels, borehole and trial pit records. This resulted in different foundation solutions including shallow strips, trench fill and piles but allowing for a consistent platform to support the timber kit superstructure. The exposed location also meant significant wind loadings and, as the timber kit designers, we undertook a full site wind load assessment to allow the timber frame design to be as efficient as possible.

Detailed Planning Consent for the first phase of works was granted by the Highland Council Planning Committee in June 2019; just 4 months after the application was submitted and validated.

Planning Permission in Principle was also granted for the later phases of development by the same committee. Detailed design is complete for phase 1 with construction programmed to commence in 2022.