Housing fair concerns not upheld

The Stone House is one of the designs to be showcased

A series of complaints about how Highland Council has handled a housing project have been rejected by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

Two members of the public raised concerns with the SPSO about how outline planning for the Highland Housing Fair was dealt with.

They said there had been inadequate consultation and permission for the site should not have been granted.

The fair in 2009, showcasing innovative designs, will be the first in the UK.

Work has now started on the site on the outskirts of Inverness - taking place behind a high wooden wall and gate painted a bright green.

The SPSO declined to uphold 11 complaints and concerns about the council's handling of the application.

However, the project still faces scrutiny over the use of public money.

Highland MSP David Thompson wrote to the government spending watchdog Audit Scotland asking them to investigate the sale of land by building company Tulloch.

Audit Scotland said that while such an investigation was not in their remit it had asked the councils' external auditors to look into the matter.

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