City square set to be turned into public plaza
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Falcon Square could be transformed with trees, seats and public art if councillors approve a multi-million pound expansion of the Eastgate Centre tomorrow.
The area - Inverness city centre’s only public piazza - has long been criticised for lacking any facilities.
Owned by the shopping centre, calls for benches to be installed have been resisted for fear it would encourage anti-social behaviour.
However, local authority planners are now recommending that improvements are forced through as a condition of planning consent being granted for an eight-screen cinema and the extension of the centre both outwards and upwards.
Principal planner Jim Harbison, in his report to councillors, says: “The square at present is very open with limited greenery or public facilities such as seating.
“Many similar public spaces in other Scottish cities enjoy such amenities and it is reasonable for the council to seek such enhancements.”
Local people are more damning in their verdict. Commenting on the council’s eplanning website, Fraser Mackenzie writes: “The proposal will improve the vitality of the city centre and help ameliorate the bleak blasted wasteland feel which afflicts Falcon Square.”
As revealed in April, Eastgate’s owner F&C REIT wants to add a cinema and replace shops fronting the square with restaurants.
The development would result in the loss of almost a fifth of the square, reducing the width of the path to the station to seven metres, but planning officers believe major improvements to the remaining four-fifths of the open space would compensate for this.
Crown Community Council chairman Pat Hayden, who is open minded about how the square can be improved, said: “I think what is being suggested is a way of fighting back against out-of-town developments,” he said.
“It is used at certain times and it looks good but most times it is an empty square.
“I think we need to look cautiously. If trees are planted, they could prevent it being used as an open space. Seating can sometimes encourage anti-social behaviour too.”
The Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) is also positive about the proposed expansion.
“It will be a major revamp of something which is a huge asset to the city centre”, said chairman Craig Duncan, who trusted the council would ensure any plans for Falcon Square were done well.
Shoppers in Falcon Square yesterday had their own ideas on how the area should be transformed.
On Kelly Moffat’s wish list is a play zone for children.
“Outdoor play equipment would be good,” said the 31-year-old of Springfield Gardens, Ballifeary, who has her hands full with three daughters and two step-sons.
“In the play zone there could be a baby changing area. There is really not a lot for children to do here.”
Care support worker Ryan Roberts from Dalneigh wants a chill out area with a garden where he could also take his adult clients.
“At the moment it is a big space with nothing in it so a bit of greenery would make it more vibrant and exciting,” said the 26-year-old.
The centre’s expansion plans would create up to 120 permanent jobs and a further 100 during the building work and will be voted on at Highland Council’s south planning committee meeting tomorrow.
* How would you like to see Falcon Square improved? Email editorial@inverness-courier.co.uk
