The Ironworks could still be demolished amid plans for student accommodation despite planning refusal for a £25 million hotel on the site

THE company behind a failed bid to replace the Ironworks music venue with a hotel expects to make an announcement about redeveloping the property as student accommodation later this month.

Bricks Capital wanted to build a 162-bedroom hotel in Academy Street, but councillors rejected the £25 million project after Highland Council officials argued the impact on a historical and conservation area of Inverness was too great.

Shortly afterwards, the firm said it was considering resurrecting a plan – which already has planning permission – to build student accommodation at the site.

A spokesman for Bricks said: “We remain committed to our Inverness project.

“We are actively examining our options and are close to finalising our decision.

“We are awaiting the final technical data from our architects with a view to making an announcement on our position during March.”

Bricks has considerable experience in the area, having already constructed a 607-bed student accommodation scheme in Glasgow which was sold last year for £72 million.

That property included a cinema, residents’ gym, café, study rooms, football pitch and a so-called festival zone events space.

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