Worker camp proposed for Inverness industrial estate

A worker camp could be created in Inverness' Longman Industrial Estate to house people involved in a £20bn project to upgrade electricity transmission lines.

Civil engineering firm Balfour Beatty wants to build the temporary accommodation on land previously occupied by Inverness College next to the A82.

Two-storey modular sleeping units providing up to 100 beds would be laid out and there would be hardstanding for 60 caravans.

There would also be a welfare block with lounge, dinning and laundry facilities.

The plans were first reported by The Inverness Courier.

Energy company SSEN Transmission is currently planning a series of major projects to upgrade powerlines across the north of Scotland as part of its Pathway to 2030 scheme.

This includes the line between Beauly in the Highlands and Peterhead in Aberdeenshire with the work being done in partnership with Balfour Beatty.

In its planning application for the temporary "village" it said the camp would house "the workforce required to deliver these critical upgrades".

It added that the camp would ensure that the local housing stock was protected from workforce pressure.

If it gets planning consent the camp could be in place for about six years.

The site off Burnett Road, and near to Inverness Justice Centre, was previously the home of Inverness College which has since relocated to a new base at the Inverness Campus.