Consultation event planned to discuss future development in Torvean, Charleston and Ness-side 3 – 6 September 2012
The Highland Council is asking local residents and businesses in Inverness to help prepare a masterplan for the future of Torvean, Charleston and Ness-side areas on the City. Details have been announced for a public event known as a “Charrette” that will shape the pattern of future development close to the new West Link road. Anyone with an interest in the future of the area is encouraged to attend, and local residents, businesses, sports clubs and other organisations may be particularly interested in taking part.
A “Charrette” is a public event where people are encouraged to put forward their ideas and suggestions for the future of an area in order to reach consensus over a land use masterplan to guide future developments. The event will be attended by a range of technical specialists, including representatives from national agencies and Highland Council to provide understanding and advice on any issues raised. While the event will start with a blank canvas, the overall aim is for a set of drawings and diagrams to emerge which represent the consensus view over the design and layout of future development and other land uses in the area.
The Charrette will commence with a launch evening at 7pm on Monday 3 September 2012 at the Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. This will be followed by 2 days of information gathering and discussion during which a team of designers will build up a more detailed masterplan for this area of the City. Workshops will also be held on Tuesday 4 September at the Kinmylies Church of Scotland, Kinmylies Way, Inverness.
People are welcome to participate as little or often as they wish with a mixture of organised workshops and open drop-in sessions but early input is encouraged.
The overall masterplan for development will be presented at a closing presentation at 7pm on Thursday 6 September at Culduthel Christian Centre.
Councillor Jimmy Gray, Highland Council Convener, who will attend the launch evening is keen to encourage public involvement. He said: “This Charrette will be a great opportunity to come along and influence the design and layout of new communities and sporting facilities and how they should be integrated with the rest of the City. We very much hope you will be able to come along and join us.”
He added: “Anyone with views on the future of this area should come along with their ideas. For example, we want to know where the public thinks new housing go, where should sports facilities and businesses be located, and how should people travel to and from this area?”
Councillor Thomas Prag, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “Anyone who has ideas or views should come along and share them with us. This is a relatively new way of involving people in the planning process in a meaningful way and I am keen to see it developed further. Bring us your thoughts on what we should include, how we might lay it out and by the end of the process you might recognise them in the draft masterplan!”
For further information on times and topics please read the leaflet available on the Council’s website http://www.highland.gov.uk/torveanandness.htm. Anyone with questions on the event or would like to confirm their wish to attend any of the days should please contact Jim Smith on 01349 886741 or jim.smith@highland.gov.uk or Scott Dalgarno on 01463 702592 or scott.dalgarno@highland.gov.uk.