Saturday 4 July 2009

How does the Inverness Local Plan (ILP) represent Inverness College / UHI?

The local plan states in the section, "Further forward beyond 2011", paragraph, "A competitive place":

"Having struggled to attract the resources for the A9-A82 Trunk Road Link an innovative funding package has now secured its completion. In the city centre, another ghost was finally laid with the opening of the new Inverness integrated passenger terminal and interchange. This sits across the ‘through’ line to the north and west, with bus access taken from the earlier Cross Rail link road. Redevelopment was secured as part of a major urban renewal project based upon retail and commercial redevelopment around an enlarged Station Square. This scheme has been carried through and over the railway as part of the enlarged College/UHI quarter, a modern City campus comprising several new Faculties, core facilities, extensive student accommodation along with cultural and leisure outlets – ‘town and gown’ in one place."

and, on page 32 of the ILP,

"RAIL YARD/COLLEGE: (7.0 ha.) north of the City Centre and Cross Rail Link towards the College/Longman "hub". Subject to maintaining rail-related freight uses, land should become available post 2006 for office, leisure and service uses and bulky goods retailing in accordance with 7 above, together with a strong focus for the UHI/Inverness College, which could extend its established campus with faculty buildings/residential halls. Good pedestrian/cycle links are vital to interaction with the Centre. Reservation for access from Harbour Road could be beneficial. The College is currently preparing an options appraisal which will guide its Development and Estates Strategy. The potential or redevelopment/reuse of any surplus property arising in this context may also be addressed in a Development Brief;"

It also states as part of the, 'Strategy', Page 12, 1.23;

"Inverness College has the potential as part of the new University of the Highlands & Islands to play a central role in cementing other
strong links with business, including faculty specialisation, research work and development of intellectual spin-offs upon which the Inverness Area is well placed to capitalise. Land and resources must be found to house campus facilities and fulfil commercial outputs
..."

The full text of the ILP can be found at:

http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/15F0F086-8239-4500-B86D-760D99D6068F/0/InvernessLocalPlanWrittenStatementAdoptedPlan.pdf

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