Working closely together on Inverness development

Council Press Release 19/10/12

Extract

...Inverness is set to see the first major regeneration in the City Centre for a number of years following the granting of planning permission by The Highland Council for an 8-storey-high building for student accommodation.   This £6m development is the first phase of a £30m re-generation project within the Rose Street and Farraline Park areas of Inverness City Centre.

The first building will accommodate 105 students in modern purpose built residential apartments, each with their own en suite facilities and private study areas. The developers, Inverness Properties Ltd, are delighted that the application was approved by the officials under Delegated Powers.   Gary Johnston, for G H Johnston Building Consultants Ltd, said that working closely with The Highland Council Planning Authority and The Inverness Civic Trust meant that the building could be sensitively sited and designed, taking into consideration the wider scope of the regeneration area.

Councillor Prag welcomed the closer relationship between developers, designers, the council and the Civic Trust on this project. He said:  “We are keen to work with applicants and others to refine projects at an early stage in the process and this is a good example of where it has worked. This is an important site on the edge of the conservation area and it was vital that it looks good, as well as providing an important boost to the vitality of this part of town.”

John West commented that the Trust welcomed the opportunity to discuss new developments and to raise with developers any concerns which the Trust may have.  As the result of discussions, the building was redesigned and a solution was reached that was acceptable to the Trust, The Highland Council Conservation Officer and Inverness Properties Ltd.

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