At last: Inverness hostel owner submits plan to rebuild eyesore
A fire-ravaged eyesore which has blighted Inverness city centre for years could at last be restored, much to the relief of community and business leaders.
The Eastgate Hostel was gutted by a fierce blaze almost three years ago and it has stood derelict ever since.
But following repeated calls from the public, community representatives and The Inverness Courier, owner Imtaiz Ali has now submitted a planning application to restore the roof.
It is expected to pave the way for the remaining restoration which would enable the three-storey building to be brought back into use.
Initially, Mr Ali is seeking permission to reinstate the pitched and slated roof with dormers, as originally built, to the front and back of the building but with a new central flat roof section. The plan is also to infill the walls between the front and rear chimneys.
West Calder company John G Sibbald Surveyors has been appointed as agent for the project.
The news has been welcomed by Pat Hayden, chairman of Crown and City Centre Community Council, who believed the Courier’s highlighting of the issue had been instrumental in achieving progress.
"We have to hope that this planning application will go through smoothly and construction work can start to make the building wind and water tight," said Mrs Hayden, whose own organisation has been lobbying for action.
"Then, the work needs to keep moving. We don’t want to see any gaps of inactivity. We have waited long enough and have been extremely patient.
"The building is in such a prominent position right across from the flagship shopping centre for the Highlands."
Mrs Hayden urged Mr Ali to look to the fashion company, M&Co, which is working to restore its Academy Street premises, damaged by a massive fire last year.
"They are a perfect example of getting on with things and they are doing a wonderful job," she said.
"We will give Mr Ali every encouragement and hope that once the work gets started it doesn’t stop until it is completed."
The news was also cautiously welcomed by Inverness Central councillor Janet Campbell, who attended a meeting with the owners last week.
"Things are moving on," said the Independent councillor, who has voiced her frustration about a lack of progress in the past.
"I am certainly satisfied on the strength of the assurances given that progress is now being made. I will be very disappointed if there is any slippage in the proposals and should that happen, questions will be asked."
Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District, was delighted that there now appeared to be progress on the building, which was the subject of a dangerous building enforcement notice by the council last year.
"It has been disappointing how long it has taken but let’s look to the future," he said.
The fire resulted in the closure of the adjacent Celtic shop and the China Cottage takeaway.
Mr Ali could not be contacted yesterday but a month ago he did pledge to submit a planning application,
At the time, he pointed out the building was owned by three people and the remedial work involved three loss adjusters and three insurance companies – nine parties in total.
