Public to have their say on Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief.

People interested in the future of the Inshes and Raigmore areas of Inverness are being invited by The Highland Council to a public exhibition and open evening on Monday 29 September at Inshes Church, Inverness.

The events form part of the Council’s public consultation on the Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief that runs from 15 September to 27 October details of which are on the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/irdb.

The public exhibition takes place from 2 - 6pm on Monday 29 September and there will be an opportunity to hear a presentation by Council officers at 7pm followed by a discussion session.  The exhibition and evening event will take place at Inshes Church, Inshes Retail Park, Sir Walter Scott Drive, Inverness, IV2 3TW.

Earlier this month Members of the Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee agreed the content of the Draft Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief which will now be opened up for public consultation.  The Development Brief reflects the outcome of an earlier public consultation held this year.  

The Development Brief will guide future decisions on land uses and transport improvements in the area.  It provides guidance on key challenges and opportunities in the area, including:

  • relieving congestion and increasing capacity on the transport network;
  • reducing flood risk associated with the Dell Burn;
  • improved walking, cycling and public transport connections;
  • green network enhancement opportunities;
  • completion of Inshes Retail Park South before expansion at Dell of Inshes; and
  • business development at land to the rear of Police Scotland’s office.

The draft Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief can be viewed on the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/irdb and during normal opening hours at:

  • Inshes Library, Inshes Road, Inverness IV2 3RF; or
  • Development and Infrastructure Service Reception, The Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX

All comments should be received by the Council no later than Monday 27 October 2014.  Comments received during the public consultation will inform the final Development Brief.  Comments can be sent via an online form or by post using a printable comments form.

Leader of the City of Inverness Area Councillor Ian Brown said: “I welcome the progress being made on this key planning development brief for the City of Inverness and look forward to a further report coming back to the City of Inverness Area Committee for members’ scrutiny. At the exhibition and evening discussion, our Planners will be there to hear your views. This is an extremely important planning process for not just Inshes and Raigmore but the wider Inverness area.”

Councillor Thomas Prag, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee added: “It’s important that folks raise any concerns that they may have now about the proposed development brief through this consultation. Come along to the exhibition and event at Inshes Church on 29 of September and speak to the planners.  Your comments and opinions matter and they will help in the preparations for the final version of the Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief that will be adopted as part of the Council’s Development Plan. If you can’t make it to the event, please have a look online at www.highland.gov.uk/irdb  and have your say.”

-ends-

22 Sep 2014