Inverness Civic Trust seeks views on planned River Ness art
Inverness Civic Trust has launched an informal consultation on its Facebook page as to whether the controversial My Ness artworks should go ahead.
It comes after work on the project – planned for opposite banks of the River Ness, close to Bught Park – was delayed to allow Inverness councillors to debate it formally for the first time.
There was a public backlash after the scheme was approved by Highland Council planners in private using delegated powers, but it will be discussed again on August 20 after rebel councillors gathered enough support.
The trust has now waded in with its own online survey, which has prompted dozens of responses.
It states: “This has been quite a controversial subject with councillors, the press and social media all ‘having a go’ at the council’s decision to do this without public consultation.
“Recent redevelopment such as the flood defences and West Link caused great debate. Are your thoughts the same, post these developments?”
It has called on locals to respond with valid reasons as to whether the artworks should go ahead.
Among the repondents was former Inverness councillor Thomas Prag.
“There was in fact a fair bit of consultation, but as always a lot of people missed the opportunity,” he said. “This is a strong effort to respond to the brief given by the council – to reflect use of the river, provide a place where people could gather near the river and interact with it.
“The visual [artist impresssion] does it no favours – within a year or two it will have blended in and serve its purpose well.
“Understandably folk are concerned that it’s just a lump of concrete – I believe it will be largely ‘clad’ in stone etc.
“We can watch the anglers, take our picnics, see the river in its various moods and watch the wildlife which will soon adapt to it. As you might have guessed, I am in favour.”
There has been a mix of other responses, many against the plan.
