Petition opposing Inverness riverside artwork gathers strength

MORE than 200 people added their names to a petition against the way a major public artwork for Inverness was approved by council planners.

Campaigners who have established the OpenNess group to push for the decision to be brought before Highland Council’s south planning applications committee collected 204 signatures in support of their efforts on the High Street on Saturday, adding to more than 1500 collected online.

Spokeswoman Helen Smith said: “Most of the people we spoke to are opposed to the plans and the way it was decided by planning officers without referral to councillors themselves for a more open discussion.”

OpenNess is set to hold a public meeting tomorrow from 7pm in the Spectrum Centre, Inverness.

“We are pushing for a more open discussion on this proposal,” Mrs Smith said. “We have invited Inverness councillors along to give their views as well, so hopefully we'll get a good turnout and a better understanding of where to take things from here.”

All are welcome to attend the meeting. The petition can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2CHOgfR

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