MOLRA

24/09/2026

Have any other MoL residents received this email from James Gibb?

Good afternoon,

Please disregard any correspondence regarding payment reminders as these were issued in error.

We apologies for any inconveinence caused.

Kind Regards

James Gibb
Glasgow Office

04/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit comments and objections regarding the proposed development beside the nursery in Milton of Leys.

Highland Council has now refused planning permission for the application.

Tulloch Homes may choose to appeal this decision to the Scottish Government, so this may not yet be the end of the planning process. MoLRA will continue to keep residents updated if there are any further developments.

This decision also highlights a much wider issue facing Milton of Leys and Inverness.

We are not opposed to new homes. We are opposed to continued housing growth without the infrastructure and public services required to support the growing population.

Inverness cannot sustainably continue to grow primarily through more housing, more people and more traffic. A successful and thriving city also needs investment in GP and dental provision, schools, healthcare capacity, roads and public transport, community facilities, employment and a healthy city centre.

For too long, housing development and the infrastructure needed to support it have not kept pace with one another. The consequences are increasingly visible: pressure on schools and healthcare, difficulty accessing services, growing traffic congestion and continuing challenges for Inverness city centre.

Housing is an essential part of the future of Inverness, but housing alone is not a development strategy.

We hope this decision provides an opportunity for Highland Council, developers and communities to look again at how future growth is planned and to ensure that the infrastructure required by an expanding population is delivered alongside new housing — not years afterwards.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the planning process and made their views known.

Growth Without Capacity Housing Development and Infrastructure in the Highlands (2001–2024) Executive Summary Overview This paper examines the relationship between housing development and infrastructure provision across the Highlands of Scotland, with a focus on the Inverness and Inner Moray Fi...

06/08/2026

📢 **MILTON OF LEYS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AGM**

Thursday 8 October 2026
🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm
📍 Community Room, Milton of Leys Primary School
🎟 Free to attend

All Milton of Leys residents and homeowners are welcome.

The AGM will provide an important opportunity to discuss the unresolved public open-space maintenance situation, hear residents’ views and decide what happens next.

**How did we get here?**

* **2015:** The Lands Tribunal issued its decision in *Marriott v Greenbelt Group Ltd*, affecting certain title burdens.
* **2017:** Relevant burden provisions in affected Milton of Leys title deeds were invalidated.
* **2020:** Greenbelt ceased operating at Milton of Leys and James Gibb was subsequently appointed by Tulloch Homes.
* **April 2024:** James Gibb ceased providing factoring services. No replacement factor was appointed.
* **July 2025:** Tulloch Homes (Drumossie) Limited—formerly Drumossie Limited and connected with the original development arrangements—was dissolved following a voluntary strike-off. Questions about succession and continuing obligations remain unresolved.
* **2025–2026:** MOLRA participated in discussions with Tulloch Homes, Highland Council, James Gibb and the Community Council.
* **April 2026:** Tulloch Homes withdrew from direct discussions with MOLRA after we raised concerns about the legal basis and scope of the proposed solution.
* **30 June 2026:** MOLRA submitted detailed written questions to Highland Council concerning the Section 75 Agreement, planning conditions, title arrangements, enforcement and legal responsibility.
* **Current position:** There is still no functioning estate-wide maintenance arrangement, and we are awaiting the Council’s complete written response.

📋 **Independent MOLRA residents’ survey**

James Gibb has issued a survey about potentially re-establishing maintenance arrangements, including possible legal work and new title burdens.

MOLRA’s survey does not assume that factoring should be reinstated or that homeowners should accept new burdens. It allows residents to express support, opposition, uncertainty, conditions and alternative ideas.

Please complete it using the link below or scan the QR code in the accompanying image:

👉 **https://forms.gle/7midfWyBUGrSKq2N7**

The results will be summarised at the AGM without identifying individual respondents.

📣 **Nominations for MOLRA office-bearers and committee**

The AGM will elect MOLRA’s office-bearers and committee. The current Chair intends to stand down, so new volunteers will be essential if the Association is to continue.

Nominations and expressions of interest are now invited. Residents may put themselves forward or nominate another resident who has agreed to stand. Anyone interested in learning more about an office-bearer or committee role is also welcome to contact us before the AGM.

📧 **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])**

Whatever your opinion, please complete the survey and come along. The future of Milton of Leys should be shaped by residents—not decided without them.

04/08/2026

📢 Important Update – James Gibb Statements of Account

Over the past few days, a number of Milton of Leys residents have received Statements of Account from James Gibb showing what they believe to be outstanding balances.

If you have received one of these, please don’t panic.

At this stage, James Gibb have not (to my knowledge) issued court proceedings or made a formal demand for payment. They have simply sent a statement showing the balance they believe remains outstanding.

Many residents have disputed these charges for a number of years.

The issues raised by residents have included:

* The standard of the factoring service that was provided.
* Whether there was a valid legal basis for demanding maintenance charges.
* Questions surrounding the title burdens affecting properties within the development.
* Concerns regarding historic payments that have already been collected.
* Requests for clarification that, in many cases, have never been fully answered.

Receiving a statement does not mean you have to accept that the balance is correct or legally due. Equally, it does not mean that James Gibb have abandoned their position. It simply means there is an ongoing disagreement.

If you disagree with the balance shown, it is sensible to respond calmly and in writing, explaining that you dispute the account and asking James Gibb to explain the legal basis upon which they consider the amount to be payable.

To help residents, I have included below the email response I will be sending James Gibb. Please remember that this is not legal advice. Every property and every resident’s circumstances will be slightly different.

⸻

Suggested Reply

Subject: Statement of Account – Disputed Balance

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email enclosing a Statement of Account for my property.

I acknowledge receipt of the statement. However, I do not accept that the balance shown is due.

Over a number of years I have raised concerns regarding both the standard of the factoring service provided and the legal basis upon which maintenance charges were demanded. Those concerns remain unresolved.

In particular, I have questioned the legal basis upon which charges were levied and have previously sought clarification regarding the historic payments collected by James Gibb. Those questions have never been substantively answered.

Should James Gibb believe that the balance shown is legally due, I would be grateful if you could provide:

1. The legal basis upon which you consider the sum to be payable.
2. The title conditions or other legal authority relied upon.
3. A substantive response to the concerns previously raised regarding the basis upon which these charges were demanded.
4. A response to my previous correspondence concerning historic payments collected by James Gibb.

Until those matters have been addressed, I consider this account to be formally disputed.

I would prefer that any further correspondence is conducted in writing.

Yours faithfully,

⸻

If you have received one of these statements, it would also be helpful if you could let MOLRA know. At this stage we are simply trying to establish:

* How many residents have received statements.
* Whether everyone has received one or only certain properties.
* Whether the balances differ.
* Whether there is any obvious pattern.

The more information residents are willing to share, the better we can understand what is happening and keep the community informed.

Finally, I would like to make one thing absolutely clear.

MOLRA is not encouraging anyone to withhold payment or take any particular course of action. Every homeowner must make their own decision based on their individual circumstances and, where appropriate, seek independent legal advice.

Our role is simply to ensure that residents are kept informed, understand the issues, have access to factual information, and are able to make their own informed decisions. We believe that open communication, transparency and a clear written record are in everyone’s interests.

Thank you.

Allan Hunter
Chair
Milton of Leys Residents Association

28/06/2026

⚠️ Planning Application 26/01817/FUL — Balvonie Terrace / Milton of Leys ⚠️

Residents may wish to comment on a new planning application submitted to Highland Council.

Application reference: **26/01817/FUL**

Proposal: **Er****on of office and distribution depot building with associated parking, yard space and wash bay**
Location: **Land 155m south-east of 5 Balvonie Terrace, Inverness**

The RA’s concern is not simply that a business use is being proposed. The concern is that this is a **distribution depot**, with yard space, vehicle movements, parking, loading activity and a wash bay. These uses can have impacts on nearby residents and the wider area if not properly assessed and controlled.

Residents may wish to comment on issues such as:

* traffic and road safety;
* delivery vehicle and van movements;
* noise from depot activity, loading, reversing alarms and wash bay use;
* hours of operation;
* external lighting;
* drainage and wash bay pollution risk;
* surface water and SUDS arrangements;
* protection of trees and landscaping;
* whether future expansion is being properly controlled;
* the wider pressure on Milton of Leys infrastructure.

To view or comment:

1. Go to the Highland Council planning portal:
**https://wam.highland.gov.uk**

2. Search for application reference:
**26/01817/FUL**

3. Open the application.

4. Select the option to submit a comment / representation.

5. Choose whether you wish to object, support, or make a general comment.

Please use your own words where possible. Even a short comment is helpful.

Suggested wording residents may wish to adapt:

“I am concerned that this proposal is for a distribution depot, not simply an office. Before any approval is granted, Highland Council should fully assess traffic, road safety, depot noise, hours of operation, lighting, wash bay drainage, surface water management, tree protection and any future expansion of the site. I do not believe the application should be approved unless these issues are properly assessed and controlled by clear planning conditions.”

Milton of Leys has already experienced significant development and ongoing infrastructure pressures. Residents should have the opportunity to make sure any further development is properly scrutinised.

Please comment if this affects you, your family or your local area.

28/06/2026

⚠️ Planning Application 26/02365/S42 — Milton of Leys / Macaskill Drive / A9 Interchange ⚠️

Residents may wish to comment on a new planning application submitted to Highland Council.

Application reference: 26/02365/S42

This is a Section 42 application seeking to develop without compliance with Condition 2C of planning permission 22/03219/PIP.

Condition 2C currently limits the build-out rate to no more than 30 homes per year, unless Highland Council agrees otherwise after consultation with Education Services and review of year-on-year school roll forecasts.

The RA’s concern is that this condition was put in place as a safeguard to ensure development proceeds in line with local infrastructure and primary school capacity. The condition already allows flexibility if Education Services and the Planning Authority agree that a higher build-out rate is acceptable. Removing it entirely would weaken that safeguard.

Residents can view the application and submit comments here:

http://wam.highland.gov.uk

How to comment:

Go to the Highland Council planning portal above.
Search for application reference: 26/02365/S42
Open the application.
Select the option to make a comment / submit representation.
You can object, support, or make a general comment.
Use your own words where possible.

Suggested points residents may wish to raise:

Condition 2C was imposed for a clear planning reason.
The condition protects school capacity and infrastructure planning.
The condition already allows Highland Council to approve a higher build-out rate if Education Services agree.
Removing the condition entirely removes the requirement for year-on-year review.
Milton of Leys and the surrounding area have already experienced significant housing growth without infrastructure keeping pace.
Residents remain concerned about school capacity, traffic, drainage, community facilities and long-term open space maintenance.
If Highland Council believes a higher build-out rate is acceptable, this should be considered year by year, not by removing the safeguard completely.

Comments should be submitted by 17 July 2026.

Please take a few minutes to comment if this affects you or your family.

In using the ePlanning web pages including all plans, drawings and other material that may be available on this site, you agree to abide by the terms of the Copyright notice for the Highland Council. When an application has been withdrawn no associated documents are visible.

08/05/2026

🌿 Community Litter Picks – Would you be interested?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now — hopefully something really positive for the area.

👉 Would there be any interest in regular community litter picks in Milton of Leys?

🧠 The idea

To organise a monthly litter pick, run locally through the Residents’ Association, with support from the Council where possible (equipment, collection, etc.).

Nothing too formal — just:

a set day/time
a few bags and litter pickers
and anyone who fancies helping out for an hour or so

👥 Why it could work

It’s a simple way to:

keep the area looking its best
bring people together (even briefly)
and take a bit of pride in where we live

Even a small group makes a big difference.

📍 Where needs attention?

It would be really helpful to know:

👉 Which areas do you think need the most attention?

paths
green spaces
roadside areas
anywhere you’ve noticed it building up
👍 No pressure — just gauging interest

At this stage, I’m just trying to get a feel for:

whether people would be interested
which days and times suit best
and where we should focus on first

Even if you can’t make it regularly, the odd helping hand would be great.

👉 If this sounds like something you’d support, or you’ve spotted areas that need attention, drop a comment below 👍

08/05/2026

📣 A quick thought on planning applications (and why they matter)

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share something that comes up time and time again when new planning applications are submitted.

It’s very easy to think:

👉 “Someone else will comment on it”
👉 “It won’t make a difference anyway”
👉 “The Council will just approve it regardless”

And to be honest — those are understandable thoughts.

🧠 But here’s the reality

Planning decisions are influenced by:

the number of individual comments
the issues raised
and whether concerns are clearly put on record

If no one comments, or only a handful of people do:

👉 it can appear that there are no significant local concerns

⚖️ It’s not about stopping everything

This isn’t about objecting to all development.

It’s about:

making sure infrastructure is considered
raising concerns about safety, traffic, schools, etc.
and making sure decisions are made with full awareness of local impact
👥 A small number makes a big difference

It doesn’t take hundreds of people.

Even:

5–10 individual comments
raising similar concerns

👉 can change how an application is assessed

💬 It only takes a couple of minutes

You don’t need to write anything long.

Even a short comment:

highlights an issue
shows local interest
and becomes part of the official record

📣 Why it matters

Decisions about the area:

shape traffic
affect schools
impact safety
and define how the community grows

👉 and once they’re made, they’re very difficult to reverse

👍 Final thought

Even if it feels like it won’t change anything:

👉 having your say is always better than saying nothing at all

If you ever need help submitting a comment or want a quick template, just ask 👍

03/05/2026

🌿 Milton of Leys Residents’ Association (MOLRA)

Hi everyone,

You may have seen a few recent posts about planning applications, housing developments, and infrastructure in the area.

So it felt like a good time to properly introduce:

👉 Milton of Leys Residents’ Association (MOLRA)

🧠 What is MOLRA?

MOLRA is simply a way for residents to:

• stay informed about what’s happening locally

• raise concerns where needed

• have a collective voice on issues that affect the area

That includes things like:

• planning applications

• traffic and road safety

• school capacity

• open space and long-term maintenance

⚖️ What MOLRA is (and isn’t)

We’re not against development.

But we do believe that:
👉 growth should be matched by infrastructure and proper planning

👥 Why it matters

A lot of decisions that affect Milton of Leys:

• happen quietly

• move quickly

• and don’t always get much local input

Even a small number of residents taking an interest can:

• bring more scrutiny

• improve outcomes

• make sure local voices are heard

💬 Get involved (as much or as little as you like)

You don’t need to commit to anything formal.

Even:

• reading posts

• sharing information

• or submitting a quick planning comment

👉 all helps

📣 Moving forward

I’ll continue sharing:

• updates on local developments

• key issues affecting the area

• and ways to have your say when it matters

👉 If you care about what happens in Milton of Leys, you’re already part of it.

29/04/2026

📣 Housing Growth in the Highlands – A Balanced View

Hi everyone,

You may have seen recent posts highlighting the need for increased housing development across the Highlands.

It’s important to say clearly:

👉 No one is against housing or investment in the area.

Housing growth brings:

economic opportunities
jobs
and supports local communities
⚖️ But there is another side to this

As a community, many of us are experiencing the impact of:

increased pressure on roads and traffic
school capacity concerns
strain on local infrastructure
uncertainty around long-term maintenance of open space

🧠 A key question

👉 Is growth being matched by infrastructure?

The Residents’ Association Chair has been looking at this in more detail, and has put together a short paper exploring how housing development and infrastructure provision have aligned across the Highlands:

📄 Growth Without Capacity? Housing Development and Infrastructure in the Highlands (2004–2025)
👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mWUsBRmfc4PFo0js8QAKeLSbYtYz2nbdMd-MCgH4F3s/edit?usp=sharing

🔍 Why this matters

The paper highlights a consistent issue:

Development often moves ahead faster than the infrastructure needed to support it.

🎯 What we are saying

This isn’t about stopping development.

It’s about ensuring that:

infrastructure keeps pace with growth
planning frameworks are properly implemented
communities are supported as they expand

💬 Have your say

There are currently a number of planning applications affecting the area.

If you have concerns or views, it’s important to submit a comment — even a short one helps ensure local voices are heard.

🤝 A balanced approach

Growth is important.

But so is:

planning properly
delivering infrastructure
and maintaining transparency

👉 Getting that balance right is what really matters for the long-term future of our area.

Growth without capacity Housing Development and Infrastructure in the Highlands (2001–2024) This paper is based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Executive Summary Overview This paper examines the relationship between housing development and infrastructure provision acros.....