Inverness City Centre Development Brief - The Highland Council

Inverness City Centre Development Brief
3. River
This City Centre district extends from Friars Bridge and extends to Infirmary Bridge
incorporating areas such as the former swimming pool site at Glebe Street and down to Eden
court and the Cathedral. Any development adjoining or within the River Ness must give
careful consideration of any potential impact on the River Moriston Special Area of
Conservation.
Opening up River Ness Frontage
The river frontage is an attractive place for visitors, residents and businesses and many
opportunities exist for redevelopment. The Council will support development along the river
frontage and within the City Centre as a whole which helps to open up and reconnect the
river with the City Centre. This is particularly the case for development which contributes to
improving public value and increasing accessibility from areas such as the Old Town, the rail
and bus stations and the main car parks. These would also help to make valuable green
spaces, such as the Ness Islands, Bellfield Park and the Bught more accessible.
The river frontage is also an attractive location for cyclists and includes sections of the
National Cycle Network. However, it is clear that much more can be done to encourage and
give priority to active travel along the river. The plans for the River Ness flood alleviation
scheme (FAS) should be used to enhance the current National Cycle Routes and be
developed in correspondence with future cycling routes as outlined in the Active Travel Audit.
There is also the opportunity to establish a clear path network to the harbour area which has
various tourist attractions such as boat trips and view points. This would also help support
the Inverness Harbour Trust plans to expand and attract cruise liners to the City.
Glebe Street Action Area
• The area around Glebe Street is a prime river front location and forms a key gateway
to the City Centre. As a result it offers ideal redevelopment opportunities:
• Plans for a 166 bedroom, 4 star hotel and associated car parking at Glebe Street was
approved in 2010. If completed, this will see the major redevelopment of a key City
Centre site which has remained vacant for many years. Alternative uses which the
Council may support include residential, business or tourism.
• The hotel proposals will free up a piece of land next to the current paved pedestrian
area at the roundabout. Together with the wide pavement on the other side of Chapel
Street, the area forms a major gateway into the City Centre. As a result it has
significant opportunity to be the location of an iconic piece of public art that welcomes
people from the North and West to the centre of Inverness. Alternatively, tree planting
would help to improve a key entrance to the city. The provision of seating (possibility
similar to the successful Ness Islands seating) and tree/shrub planting could also help
to create a welcoming gateway. Additionally, developer contributions may be used to
provide improved pedestrian links and crossings.
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