Wildlife

This is an area of important biodiversity included protected species.  The Essich Burn is a major wildlife corridor.  The fields proposed to be developed are home to Roe deer, badgers and bird life   All wildlife residents will be threatened as their habitat continues to be destroyed, pushing them further away.  The development will risk losing these species from the area at a time of loss of biodiversity.

Biodiversity loss is a threat to National security- Government intelligence leaders warning

A report “global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security”  (Jan 2026) said that the “severe degradation or collapse” of ecosystems presented a series of risks including food shortages and price rises.  If ecosystems collapse the UK food supplies would be at particular risk “without significant increases” in the domestic food system and less reliance on imports.  The collapse of global ecosystems poses a high risk to the UK’s national security and prosperity.

The development at Essich will degrade the biodiversity of the area, threaten protected species and loose important farmland.  Instead, we should be planning how best to use the farmland for the growing of food for the Inverness population, whilst protecting and enhancing the current ecosystem.

Biodiversity duty

Highland council has a duty under the following areas amongst others:-

• actions to benefit biodiversity directly or achieve wider outcomes for nature and people.

• Mainstreaming Biodiversity

• Nature based solutions and climate change –

• Public Engagement and workforce development – including education and engaging with communities, young people and the public.

• Research and monitoring  

Dry Stone Walls

Dry stone walls on either side of Essich Road are an asset to the area.  They are a beautiful part of the landscape and have been there for more than 100 years.  None of the residents in the area want to lose these.  It would be a tragic loss of the heritage of the area and a loss of the rural character and landscape.  The character of the area would be destroyed.

They also provide a habitat for insects and birds enhancing biodiversity.  The dry stone wall also holds the plaque for where the Boarstone was moved from. 

Historic environment Scotland have in their written literature:-

“Dry stone walls, or drystane dykes as known in Scotland, are an integral part of the built heritage and landscape of Scotland. They perform several functions, such as to delineate boundaries, to corral livestock and to provide shelter for wildlife. “