Inverness City Centre Development Brief - The Highland Council

Inverness City Centre Development Brief
Five Key Themes
To focus the proposals within the Development Brief five key themes are identified which
highlight the challenges and opportunities within the City Centre:
1. Built and Natural Environment – protecting and enhancing the rich and diverse
cultural and natural heritage of the City Centre will promote place identify and
maximise the visitor experience.
2. Movement and Transport – the ability to move freely is essential to make the most of
City Centre assets and allow all areas to prosper.
3. Tourism – enhancing the tourist experience will encourage more people to visit
Inverness and the Highlands of Scotland.
4. Economy – supporting existing and attracting new businesses will strengthen the
economy and re-establish a thriving environment.
5. Living in the City Centre – Creating a strong and diverse city centre population has a
range of social, economic and environmental benefits.
Theme 1: Built and Natural Heritage
Inverness City Centre benefits from a rich diversity of cultural and natural heritage. This
development brief will help to build on the success of recent projects which have helped to
connect users of the City Centre with its heritage, such as Ness Islands Enhancement
Programme and streetscape works and the work carried out by Inverness Old Town Art
(IOTA).
Natural Heritage
One of the defining features of Inverness is the
River Ness. Flowing right through the City
Centre the river has been intrinsically linked to
the origins and development of Inverness.
However, as with many other UK cities, the river
frontage remains an underutilised asset. The
riverside frontage now presents an attractive and
iconic tourist location and provides an appealing
setting for leisure, office and residential uses.
There are many important views and vistas in
the City Centre. Some of these include from Bridge Street along to Tomnahurich Street and
Ness Walk, Castle Wynd down Church Street, and both up the river to the Islands and the
Castle and down to the Greig Street Bridge with Ben Wyvis in the backdrop. These views
define the city centre’s relationship with its built and natural heritage. As a result these vistas
will be protected and where possible enhanced to maximise these important assets.
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