Adoption of Muirtown and South Kessock Development Brief
A Development Brief for the Muirtown and South Kessock area of Inverness was formally adopted today (Wed 4 Nov) by The Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. Approval of the document means it will now be used to guide future development and to assist the Council, partners and community interests in making bids for funding to help regenerate this area of the city.
The Development Brief, which identifies a range of strategic projects focusing on Clachnaharry, South Kessock, the local nature reserve, Muirtown, Merkinch and Muirtown Basin, was endorsed by the City of Inverness Area Committee in September and today councillors gave the go-ahead for the Brief to be statutorily adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Development Plan. This means it will now carry full weight in the future decision making of planning applications.
Preparation of the Development Brief was led jointly by the Highland Council and Scottish Canals working closely with the local people.
Chair of the Committee, Councillor Audrey Sinclair said: “The community have been central to the preparation of this exciting new document. Various people including community groups and businesses have offered their views on the future of this part of the City through a series of consultation events held over the last 18 months.
“The adoption of this Development Brief gives a new shared vision for the future of the Muirtown and South Kessock areas of Inverness. We are grateful to everyone who took part in the initial workshops and the subsequent consultations as their involvement has helped to shape how this area can be developed for years to come.”
The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Helen Carmichael said: “I’d also like to thank Community groups, businesses, public agencies and individual members of the public for their involvement in this process. The decision today will help us to move forward to deliver improvements to the area with Scottish Canals and other groups. This could include new housing, improvements to the local transport network and, at Muirtown Basin, improvements to water and land based recreation opportunities and pedestrian access to the area.”
Parts of Muirtown and South Kessock are identified as having potential for future development in the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, and the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan. At today’s Committee, members also approved the publication of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan Action Programme. This document provides a useful framework for community planning partners and the private sector on how best to co-ordinate future investment alongside any new development. It outlines the practical things that have to be done to make things happen and will be frequently updated by all partners.