Council submits planning application for Canal Parks Enhancement Project

The Highland Council is to submit a detailed planning application tomorrow (Tuesday 14 April) for the Canal Parks Enhancement Project, as part of plans for enhanced sports facilities in the city, made possible with the building of the Inverness West Link.  

The planning permission for the West Link road includes a condition requiring the re-orientation of the Canal Park rugby pitches.  A project has been developed to enhance the canal parks facility in order to meet the requirements of the condition, but also to deliver wider benefits.  

The Canal Parks Enhancement Project meets the aspiration of the Highland Rugby Football Club (HRFC) to remain at Canal Parks as opposed to moving to the west side of the canal.  A great deal of liaison has taken place over the last year to develop the project to not only meet that aspiration, but also to provide a community facility managed by Highlife Highland which will enable wider public access to the new facilities.  

The Council agreed the costs of the project on 12 March 2015, and subject to planning permission being granted, it will deliver:

•             a new artificial pitch to International Rugby Board standards;

•             two grass pitches;

•             new 8 room changing and clubhouse facilities;

•             car and bus parking;

•             boundary fencing, including ball stop fencing; and

•             a footway/cycleway along the south boundary to join with the West Link footway / cycleway;

The artificial pitch is anticipated to be used for rugby and football, but can also potentially be used by other sports including hockey, and American football.  

Andrew Little, Chairman of Highland Rugby Club said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got to this stage and that the detailed plans for the project are to be submitted following very positive discussions we’ve been having with the Council.”