Charrette to examine land uses along route of proposed Inverness West Link Road

The Highland Council has begun detailed preparation for a major consultation with the public later in the year over future use of land along the route of the proposed Inverness West Link Road, which will provide a new transport link from the Southern Distributor Road at Dores Road to the A82 trunk road via a fixed link across the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal.

A charrette  - a planning masterplanning event -  is being staged between 3-5 September at the Culduthel Christian Centre. It begins with a launch on Monday 3 September (7.30pm start), continues with workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday and concludes with a “wrap up” session on Wednesday evening.
 
The purpose of the charrette is to provide an intensive period of focused discussions to gather people’s views on the possible layout and design of future land uses alongside the proposed West Link Road.  This includes the relocation of sporting facilities that need to be replaced to deliver the road, as well as masterplanning of new developments in the areas of Charleston and Ness-side situated either end of the proposed road. 
 
The main part of the charrette will provide background information on the study area; explain the development policies for the area and any constraints to development  and will be based around a range of themes such as:

-          Housing requirements for the area
-          Urban Design requirements
-          Sporting facilities
-          Community facilities
-          Greenspace connections, viewpoints and vistas
-          Optimum active travel - Walking/cycling connections
-          Public transport and local road arrangements
-          Commercial interests
-          Sustainable communities – social/cultural/lifestyle
-          Phasing of development (relative to the Inverness West Link)
 
 
The information will assist in the preparation of a Development Brief for the area which the Council would aim to publish in draft form by the end of September this year.  The Development Brief would then be adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Local Development Plan, which means it would guide any future planning applications for development in the area.
 
-ends-

31 May 2012