Area planning committee members meeting in Inverness this week approved the Cameron Crescent development in Munlochy, the Press & Journal has reported.

Ark Estates will build five pairs of semi-detached properties, each one-and-a-half storeys high. Each will have a rear garden and parking for two cars.

In collaboration with the Highland Housing Alliance, the homes will be built on council owned land.

Concerns had been expressed about the impact the development will have on the privacy and amenity of existing residents in the area due to the close proximity of the proposed units however planning officials offered an assurance that there would be 6ft fencing the length of the boundary with Pole Cottage.

“On this basis it is not considered that there will be a significant loss of privacy or overshadowing to Pole Cottage,” councillors were told.

Four trees will be uprooted to make way for an access road but fresh planting will provide a landscaped buffer along the north boundary of the site with the A832 featuring native trees such as cherry and Scots pine.

Local member Craig Fraser welcomed the development, saying affordable homes were badly needed on the Black Isle.

However, he suggested considerable work was needed to address wider traffic issues in the area fuelled by a growing commuter population.

He said an official from roads agency Transport Scotland should be invited to a future committee meeting to help thrash out solutions to the increasing demands on the A9 Munlochy junction.