Ambitious blueprint for Inverness city centre endorsed by councillors
An ambitious blueprint for Inverness city centre - which will shape a clutch of key future developments - has been warmly endorsed by councillors who have approved the “vision” for the area.
Plans to transform five specific areas in the centre, which has struggled in recent years with traffic congestion and shops regularly shutting down, will now be developed after the Inverness City Centre Development Brief was given the green light.
An expanded Victorian Market, a pedestrian civic space in Station Square and Farraline Park and the possible creation of a major piece of iconic public art near Friars Bridge could now become reality after the major planning document was backed by the city of Inverness area committee today (8.10).
The Highland Council brief was months in the planning and involved public consultation and input from the Inverness Business Improvement District. The committee was told it could act as a catalyst for attracting private sector investment which could transform the area’s fortunes.
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said the brief, which will become supplementary guidance for the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, were bold and adventurous.
“It will ensure Inverness is ready to take its place an 21st century Scotland and Europe as a confident and contemporary city,” he said.
Alasdair Christie (Inverness Ness-side) said he was particularly pleased to see an action plan accompanying the brief which plotted the immediate objectives and work ahead.
But he called for the “parasite” landlords, who he blamed for contributing to the city centre’s malaise by neglecting their properties, to be targeted so the properties could be freed for rented affordable housing.
“Absentee parasite landlords who own pockets of our city need to make way for housing,” said the senior Lib Dem, who added bringing people back to the city centre was vital for its future prosperity.
Jimmy Gray, the former city provost and Inverness Millburn councillor, warned there was no easy solution to the traffic congestion on Academy Street and said a decision on whether cars were banned would have to key be taken sooner rather than later.
He said there was no easy solution because of the 19th century layout of the streets and solving a congestion problem in one spot would probably cause difficulties elsewhere.
