He claims many people would rather see an extension of existing settlements rather than the building of a new one.
Mr Mackay said: "I think most people are of the opinion that if there is going to be an expansion then it should be in Inverness or Nairn.
"The consultants that the council used said they had extensive consultation with local people who said they wanted the new town, but it is clear that is not the case.
"In fact I would say that 99% of people would rather see a local settlement expanded than a new one built."
In the report presented to the committee, the council's head of planning and development, Mike Greaves, said: "It was never a responsibility of the consultants to engage in open-ended consultation with statutory and community interests - that is properly a matter for the council itself."
A Highland Council spokeswoman added that plans were still at an extremely early stage and that public consultation would take place before a final decision was made.
