The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Council prepares to draw up blueprint for change
Plans: Former B&Q warehouse at South Kessock focus of regeneration
“The Inshes roundabout is key to the development”
Bringing business back to a long-time derelict building is a top priority for regeneration of the South Kessock area, councillors said yesterday.
The problem of the former B&Q warehouse on Telford Road is back on the agenda as Highland Council prepares to draw up a blueprint for future development around the Muirtown Basin and the wider South Kessock area.
B&Q is still paying the lease on the huge building, which it vacated in favour of a new building on Longman Road in 2007.
The council is in talks with the company and the building owners but no one has come forward to take it over.
Officials said yesterday that the Telford Street Retail Park would be a major feature of the regeneration plans.
They will work with Scottish Canals to look at the tourism and leisure potential around the Muirtown Basin.
The issue of the Muir- town swing bridge causing road traffic holdups will also be examined, with planner Simon Hindson stating that a former planner had suggested a second swing bridge in the area could be an option.
A separate development brief will be drawn up for the Inshes area, which will look at resolving flooding issues and creating new walking and cycling connections.
Councillor Ken Gowans said that the Inshes roundabout was “key” to the area’s development, particularly because of its impact on the new Inverness Campus, Inshes Retail Park and Raigmore Hospital.
The public will be given their chance to influence the development briefs during special workshops in February.
However, councillors have raised concerns that the name of the events – Design for Change – will confuse the public.
Councillor Thomas Prag issued a challenge for members to come up with a better name for the so- called “minicharettes”.