Scottish Highlands capital Inverness could be a step closer to the construction of 49 new “affordable” homes after a new planning application was submitted.

However, almost immediately after the document was signed, one city councillor warned that such an expansion would require additional school provision before the houses could be built.

Albyn Housing Society has lodged a proposal for 49 homes at Balvonie Street as part of the Balvonie Braes development on the south side of the capital Highland city.

It is proposed to be situated across from the site of the controversial and publicly-subsidised “Scotland’s Housing Expo”, which was created to showcase eco-friendly housing.

The plans are a revised version of documents that were submitted to the Highland Council just more than a year previously.

Calum Macaulay, Chief Executive at Albyn, commented: “We have submitted plans for 49 homes at Balvonie Street.

“We’ve worked closely with local architects Colin Armstrong Associates to design a range of houses and flats for affordable rent and sale.”

However, in keeping a close check on expansion in the Milton of Leys suburb and the surrounding district, local SNP councillor Ken Gowans responded: “While this is planned expansion, these houses will simply compound the school roll pressures at Milton of Leys Primary.

“It is all very well building houses, but we should concentrate on building a community.

“For that, we need greater capacity in our schools as well as significant improvements in our community facilities first.”

Ranging styles of property have been proposed for the project, ranging from one bedroom flats to two, three and four bedroom homes. The surrounding roads may be extended to serve the expanded site.

The local development plan has the greenfield site zoned for housing. Albyn bought it from the Highland Housing Alliance which ran the expo. The HHA eco scheme won awards, but made a financial loss.