Inverness City Vision : Shaping the Future of Inverness
The Inverness City Vision sets out the overarching vision and aspirations for Inverness. Following a series of consultation events a new City Vision has been prepared which sets out a revised vision for shaping the future of the city. Overall it points to a number of key themes which will guide how Inverness will grow:
- the economy should be at the heart of everything
- strengthen the City Centre
- a better connected Inverness
- a city for young people
- greenNess
- build on our assets
- think tourism
- culture, pride and identity
- health and well-being
To help carry forward these themes, there was a focus on an action-orientated process. As a result, a number of city “zones” were identified which include:
- A9 corridor (including Inverness Campus)
- Waterfront: recovering the Scottish coastal edge
- Strategic centres: city centre revitalisation and international learning, research and bio medical zone
- City cross: linking strategic green spaces
- Spider: restoring the city shape
- Quality neighbourhoods: changing perception
Five action areas have been identified where key linkages exist between the city zones and which require specific land use and transport planning. These include: the City Centre, Longman, Muirtown/South Kessock, Ness-side, and Inshes/Raigmore.
A key challenge has been to integrate these themes, city zones and action areas into the wider policy of the Council and partner agencies. The key elements of the City Vision are embedded in the Highland wide Local Development Plan which was adopted in April 2012. In addition, the apirations of the vision will be delivered through a series of development briefs or masterplans which will be prepared for each the action areas. The first of these is the City Centre Development Brief which aims to identify and promote key development opportunities and environmental enhancements within the city centre. A draft brief has now been prepared and a public consultation period runs from 21st March to 25th May 2012.
If you have any questions regarding the guidance please contact the Development Plans team on (01463) 702262 or e-mail devplans@highland.gov.uk.