Progress welcomed on planning development briefs for Inverness
A major planning development brief got the go ahead at The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee today (2 September 2014).
Members agreed the content of the Draft Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief, which reflects the outcome of a public consultation held earlier this year. The brief sets out a framework to guide future decisions on land uses and transport improvements in the area. It will now be subject to public consultation. It provides guidance on key challenges and opportunities in the area, principally:
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Relieving congestion and increasing capacity on the transport network;
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Reducing flood risk associated with the Dell Burn;
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Improved walking, cycling and public transport connections;
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Green network enhancement opportunities;
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Completion of Inshes Retail Park South before expansion at Dell of Inshes; and
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Business development at land to the rear of Police Scotland.
The draft brief will be subject to public consultation from mid-September to help prepare a final version that will be adopted as part of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. Details of the public consultation period, including a public exhibition, will be announced in the near future
Members also welcomed progress towards developing an action plan for Inverness City Centre that will be incorporated into an updated Inverness City Centre Development Brief. This development brief identifies and promotes opportunities for re-development and enhancement of the city core.
Members agreed that work should continue on a range of city centre initiatives to create new cultural and tourism facilities, improve access and connections within the city centre, and regenerate Academy Street.
The Council’s Development and Infrastructure Service is working with various partners including HITRANS, Sustrans, Transport Scotland, Stagecoach, Network Rail, Inverness City Heritage Trust, Inverness BID and Highland Life Highland on a wide list of options for the city centre.
The update to the Inverness City Centre Development Brief will be completed early next year and presented to the City of Inverness Area Committee for Members’ approval before it goes to public consultation.
Leader of the City of Inverness Area said: “I welcome the progress being made on these key planning development briefs for the City of Inverness and look forward to further reports coming back to the City of Inverness Area Committee on their progress.”
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