Plans unveiled for £20 million Merkinch Gateway project

The Highland Council has made a bid for £1.45 million of funding to regenerate the gateway to Merkinch, Inverness.

It is hoped the funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund will be the catalyst for an ultimate investment of £20 million in an area stretching from Grant Street to Academy Street and including Glebe Street on the riverside.

The Merkinch Gateway project seeks to better link the two areas on either side of the River Ness through specific building and street upgrades and business opportunities which will have economic, social and environmental regeneration benefits.

Key proposals include:-

• Assisting in re-establishing community use and building improvements of   Merkinch Welfare Hall;
• Improvements to the Nelson Street/Grant St junction;
• Creating a community garden at India Street;
• Introducing art works at the Waterloo Bridge;
• Improvements to the junction of Chapel Street and Academy Street;
• Redevelopment of a vacant site for hotel development at Glebe Street, with the Council assisting the developer with phase 2 site investigations.

It is also planned to refurbish buildings on Academy Street to create residential and retail accommodation, an art gallery and business starter units and revitalise a number of commercial premises by converting them into affordable housing.

Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness Area Committee, said: “This is an ambitious and very welcome initiative to breathe new life into this distinctive part of the city centre.  The funding will start the ball rolling and hopefully attract major investment from the private sector.”

Council Leader Drew Hendry is enthused by the project, which he sees as an important element of the regeneration of the city centre, with strong environmental credentials which will added to the Council’s vision for a Carbon Clever Highlands.

He said: “Multiple aspects of the proposed regeneration will lead to lower carbon emissions, and therefore contribute to the Council’s vision of a Carbon Clever Highlands. Refurbishment of inner city buildings will lead to more energy efficient properties, whilst their locations are accessible by public transport reducing the need to travel by car.

“The proposed improvements to the streetscape of the area, will provide a better environment for walking and cycling in Merkinch. Converting commercial units into homes will put people into the city centre, near to shops and services and minimise the need to travel, enabling a low carbon lifestyle.”

Councillor Thomas Prag Chairman of Planning Environmental and Development Committee, said: ““If we can help revive the unique character of this part of Inverness I’m all for it – for example the Welfare Hall is a place I used to know well and has such potential – and making the link between Academy street and Merkinch more user friendly is long overdue too.”

Councillor Bet McAllister, Inverness Central Ward Member,  said: “Improving the amenity and accessibility is a very welcome initiative in an area which is not only an important gateway into the Merkinch but also a key route for those accessing other areas of Inverness. This is something I very much welcome and support.”