Whiteness is a unique development opportunity in Scotland partly in terms of scale and partly through the ability to create a supreme mixed use development starting with a fully serviced cleared site. Whiteness is considered an effective location to create a new settlement. It is likely to have a development programme of 15-20 years.
Property mix, including the marina use and provision for affordable housing is an essential component to the success of the development. The level of house ownership in Inverness is around 70%.
Inverness has an above average proportion of adults of working age and the level of car ownership in Inverness is slightly above the national average.
If recent trends continue, the population of the Highland Region is expected to grow by 11% by 2031. The highest rates of projected growth are in Inverness and Nairn, between which the Whiteness site is situated.
In 2005 the Whiteness Property Company Limited invited Sir Terry Farrell, the internationally renowned architect and masterplanner to undertake the task of preparing a Masterplan for the complete rejuvenation of the site.
The core objective was to create a new community of 2000 homes, spread across all sectors of the market; the provision of recreation, tourism and leisure facilities, including a marina taking full advantage of the extensive sheltered water at Whiteness; and health and community facilities.
The Masterplan, which was widely acclaimed and fundamental to securing planning consent, won an award for placemaking at the Scottish Design Awards in May 2006.
The Moray Firth is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland’s coast and hosts breathtaking coastal scenery and a wealth of natural heritage assets that are recognised throughout the world.
Whiteness, situtated between Inverness and Nairn, is the focus of the Whiteness Property Company’s development proposal to create a sustainable new community at the cutting edge of design in an outstanding natural setting. The development proposal includes provision for an initial 1,950 houses; leisure and recreational facilities; a 500 berth marina, together with a major investment in restoring and strengthening the natural heritage value of the site and its environs.
Throughout 2005 the Company prepared and duly submitted an Outline Planning Application which was lodged with the Highland Council during December 2005. Throughout 2006 the application was subject to extensive public consultation and during November 2006 the Highland Council unanimously approved the application subject to certain conditions.
Whiteness Marina Harbour Order
One of the key features at Whiteness is the extensive area of sheltered water included within the site boundary which has direct access to the Moray Firth. As part of the overall planning process, and as an adjunct to the land use planning permission, the Whiteness Property Company applied to the Scottish Parliament for a Parliamentary Order to create a new Harbour Authority - a process which resulted in the Whiteness Harbour Revision Order being granted during November 2008.
