Culloden campaigners take the fight to Holyrood to challenge development

Campaigners against a Culloden housing development will aim to gain support from the Scottish Government.

Earlier this week, Highland Council deferred a decision on Kirkwood Homes plans for 16 properties at Viewhill - near the site of the 1746 battle.

Protesters aim to add further disruption to the scheme - with original planning granted back in 2014 - but now with the current developer there have been more hurdles, with the Local Authority asking for a revision of their proposals.

George Kempik - founder of the Group to Stop Development at Culloden - said: "It's not about the right kind of houses - it's about no houses at all at the battlefield - we've bought ourselves some time now to try and build a case"

"We want to encourage - or badger - the Scottish Government into stepping in and stopping the development on the grounds that this is of national importance"

"Highland Council can't stop the development - we know that, they know that - and ultimately if Kirkwood Homes can come up with a plan that meets the requirements we know the homes will be built"

Mr Kempik believes one tactic of his group would be to make the development process so troublesome that it may become too much of a challenge for the plans to eventually come to fruition.

"I suppose that's probably why we've been at this for four years. There was already one developer who had tried to build on the land and now Kirkwood Homes have come in and tried to submit plans"

Developer Kirkwood Homes said in light of the Highland Council deferral that the news is "extremely disappointing" but that they'll "...discuss this outcome with the planning department to understand the specific reasons"

They also add that: “The proposal fully complies with the conditions of the original planning consent. Throughout this process we have worked alongside Highland Council and relevant authorities, and will continue to do so until a conclusion is reached"