The Inverness West Link

History of the project

Planning application

On 15 January 2014, the Planning in Principle application for the Torvean Golf Course, Sports Hub, Kilvean Cemetery Extension and Parkland projects was lodged with our Planning and Development Service.

The Environmental Statement for the West Link Application submitted in 2013 has been expanded to include the Torvean Golf Course, Sports Hub, Kilvean Cemetery Extension and Parkland sub-projects. 

In November 2013, we issued the notices for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) with respect to The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 for The Highland Council (Inverness West Link) Compulsory Purchase Order 2013.

• The Statement of Reasons
• The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
• The Compulsory Purchase Order Schedule
• The CPO Location Plan for Maps Nos CP01 , 02 and 03
• CPO Map No. CP01
• CPO Map No. CP02
• CPO Map No. CP03

Planning application details reference number 13/03825/FUL

Approval and public consultation

In September 2013, we approved the final lay out drawings and authorised the submission of a planning application for the new road. We responded to the public comments received during the third consultation which started on 17 April 2013. 

Ground investigation

At the start of 2013 there was a ground investigation of West Link Road. The first phase of the ground investigation was undertaken by the Contractor Holequest Ltd and has been completed. With an archaeologist in attendance, to check the first 1.5m of excavation, a significant number of trial pits and boreholes have been completed throughout the length of the proposed scheme.

In August 2012, we appointed Capita Symonds to assist the our Project Design Unit in providing detailed design civil engineering and supporting services for the new road.

The detailed design work included the preparation of the drawings and details and the specifications for each construction element of the project in readiness for us to prepare tender documents. The detailed design work will produce an earthworks and construction footprint and include the necessary information to allow us to obtain all statutory consents for the work. This will include traffic orders, land acquisition and CPO plans as well as an environmental statement and the detailed plans for a planning application.

Holequest Ltd are carrying out the works in two phases:

• Phase 1 - trial pitting and boreholes completed in early January 2013
• Phase 2 undertaken in July 2013 and will see boreholes undertaken at the pier locations at the proposed new bridge over the River Ness

Key elements of the project are the footway and cycleway linkages, and these are currently being developed.