Council submits planning application for Torvean Golf Course Project

Highland Council is to submit a detailed planning application tomorrow for the new Torvean Golf Course, as part of its project plans for enhanced sports facilities in the city, made possible with the building of the Inverness West Link.

The planning application in principle for the Torvean Golf Course, Sports Hub & Parkland Application was granted on the 14th April 2014.

The project delivery is conditional on the Council obtaining the statutory consents to build the Inverness West Link road and funding being approved by The Council at its meeting in March 2015.

The construction of the West Link requires a reconfiguration of the Golf Course and an estimated investment of £1.3 million is the minimum required to relocate the golf holes to enable the building of the road.

Additional enhancements to the golf course have been developed as part of the proposals, in a greater ambition for the City of Inverness, thus enabling further economic development in the area.

The proposals include:

• Locating the new 18 hole golf course in one contained area of land
• A Practice area that allows for the Club to expand it to SGU Development Standard status  
• A new Clubhouse, which will accommodate a Junior Room;
• New Maintenance buildings
• An access road to service the Clubhouse and Maintenance building.

As highlighted in the approved Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief, this relocation of the golf course will also release residual existing golf course land to the East of General Booth Road to enable the development of a sports hub.  Land to the South of the A82 will be freed up for informal public open space and a mixed use development adjacent to the canal at this important gateway to Inverness and discussions are ongoing with Scottish Canals to consider opportunities and bring these forward.

The expanded golf project is estimated to cost an additional £7.41 million (December 14) and could see a start of works in 2016.

The Council has been working on the proposals involving a range of partners and officers were invited by the Scottish Golf Union to attend a meeting at Torvean Golf Club on 20 January 2015 to present the proposals for the new golf course and associated infrastructure.

Hamish Spence, President of Torvean Golf Club said: "Torvean Golf Club have, for the past two years,  been working closely with the Council on this project. We are delighted that it is now taking a major step towards fruition.  As well as the obvious benefits to our members, the new clubhouse and course will be a major improvement to the existing sporting facilities available to the local community and will provide a massive boost to tourism in the city of Inverness and the wider Highland area.”

Councillor Thomas Prag, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee welcomed the news of the proposals reaching planning application stage. He said: “I am delighted with the progress we are making across a number of fronts associated with the Inverness West Link and the associated sports and leisure projects. The plans are ambitious and will deliver substantial long term assets to the city.”

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry added: “The delivery of the West Link is a key commitment in the Council’s Programme and will greatly improve our infrastructure, linking communities, reducing congestion in the city and supporting economic development.”

The planning process for the enhanced sports facilities will include a public display of the Canal Parks Rugby Club proposals at the Inverness Aquadome on Tuesday 27th January 2015 from 10am until 8pm.