Caithness.org News Bulletins

Aug 2002 Index

Caithness.org News 2002 Index

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September 2002

A major planning blueprint, which presents a 10-20 year vision for the city of Inverness and the surrounding communities, reaches its next stage today (Friday 13 September) when The Highland Council publishes the Deposit Draft of the Local Plan. The draft of the Local Plan will be available for consultation until 8 November 2002. It can be seen at local Service Points, Post Offices and libraries. Any unresolved objections will be referred to a Public Local Inquiry.

The publication follows receipt of 800 representations from agencies, community councils, civic groups and individual members of the public.

The Local Plan envisages Inverness making a major contribution to Scotland’s future as a diverse and vibrant regional centre with a strong, competitive economy. These attributes underpin the Inverness and Highlands bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2008.

Partnership working, community involvement and innovative sources of funding will help several major projects the Council expects to take forward as part of the Scottish Executive’s Cities Review. Within the city, the plan promotes:

• A revitalisation package for the historic core and riverfront embracing redevelopment at Glebe Street and Bridge/Bank Street, extended pedestrian areas and an inner relief road (Cross Rail) link. A combined bus/rail transport interchange remains an option for the future;

• Action areas at key city landmarks, notably Craig Dunain, Muirtown Basin, Torvean, The Highland Council Headquarters, Eden Court, Longman Bay, the Rail Yard and Ashton to spearhead major regeneration, possibly through Joint Venture activity. These are high profile locations with potential for prestigious conference/visitor, outdoor arena, leisure/culture facilities, university/faculty buildings, City marina and "urban villages";

• Large allocations of land beside the A96 through Stoneyfield, West Seafield and Stratton to reinforce inward investment opportunities. Closer links are forged between Raigmore Hospital and Beechwood Business Park with the potential to expand a "cluster" of medi-care facilities;

• City expansion areas at Inshes, Culduthel-Slackbuie, Ness Castle, Westhill and, in the medium/long term Ness-side and Charleston, suitable for 4,000 houses. These are expected to develop as sustainable places with housing, employment, facilities and open space;
   

•  A new initiative to protect and secure six major green wedges as part of a Citizens Trust. These recreation and heritage corridors of the future offer potential for extensive urban parks, community forests, a city common and seafront links;

• Construction of the final phase of the Southern Distributor Road (City by-pass) along one of two low level routes between Dores Road and the A82 west of the Caledonian Canal;

• Action to decongest and improve safety along the main transport routes including the A9, A96, A82 and in the Millburn-City Centre, Raigmore-Westhill, Smithton-Culloden and Telford-Clachnaharry areas. These tie-in with park-n’-ride opportunities at the city entry points, cycle routes, passenger rail halts and better public transport services.

The A96 Corridor east of Inverness is identified for longer term growth. As an early phase of development, a major package of prestigious business park, freight "village", transport interchange and hotel/conference facilities linked by a new distributor access to the A96 is proposed on land adjoining Inverness Airport. The Council and partners are to form a Development Company to take this proposal forward.

Within the adjoining villages – Beauly, Drumnadrochit, Ardersier, Kirkhill, Kiltarlity and Dores - measures are introduced to prevent "overheating" and loss of identity and to strengthen the rural character. Growth in communities under most pressure is contained, and increased value placed on local facilities and better design. In the remoter, peripheral parts, towards Fort Augustus, Tomatin and Cannich together with the adjoining glens and straths the emphasis is on reinforcing settled areas, retaining population and services and protecting the internationally valued heritage.