Could Inverness get its own Kelpies or Angel of the North? Sculpture proposal for gateway to city
AN iconic sculpture is being mooted that could be the Highland Capital’s answer to the Falkirk Kelpies or Gateshead’s Angel of the North.
A competition to choose a possible design is planned by developers behind a major tourism and leisure development on a gateway approach to Inverness.
A detailed planning application has been lodged for the £5.4 million leisure project, which includes up to 50 visitor lodges and apartments plus a commercial centre featuring a restaurant, shop and gallery, on land close to the A9 south of Inverness. The site is next to the B-listed Drumossie Hotel.
Following a public consultation and discussions with planning officers, the applicants — 3A Partnership of Inverness — have proposed a community-based competition to design an iconic piece of public art suitable for the city’s southern outskirts.
City building consultant Gary Johnston, agent for the applicants, said the idea had arisen out of proposed changes to landscaping on the site but stressed it was still at the very early stages.
"It has been launched as part of the application but we really want to see what members of Highland Council feel about it and what the public feels about it," he said.
"We feel there is an opportunity for something at this site because it is a unique location and it is a gateway site for Inverness.
"It is hoped other agencies would put funding in. We would want it to be ambitious and an eye-catching piece of work."
The applicants hoped to work with other organisations to prepare a brief on how the competition could be run.
Catriona Johnson, chairman of Westhill Community Council, cautiously welcomed the idea. "It would be an excellent opportunity to have something at the gateway to Inverness," Mrs Johnson said.
"As you come up the A9, the vista of Inverness and the Moray Firth is one of the most beautiful. If you put something in there, it would have to be in keeping and not detract from the view - you don’t want something obstructing the view. Also, it must not detract the driver’s attention."
The original masterplan for the proposed development has undergone some slight changes following a pre-application public consultation.
They include landscaping to create a buffer between the A9 and the development plus a re-configuration of the layout so some buildings were further away from adjoining land.
It is envisaged the development could create more than 50 jobs and bring in an additional £1.34 million each year for the local economy.
If it is given the go ahead, work is due to start within 12 to 18 months. It would be carried out in phases.
The accommodation would comprise a mix of one and two-storey lodges set around courtyards and terraces to create a village feel. They would be of traditional design to suit the surrounding landscape.
3A Partnership is run by directors Corrin Henderson, Robert Murray, Dennis Overton and Frances Bullock.
The four hold directorships elsewhere while Mr Henderson and Mr Murray are also known for their work with the Inverness charity Day1 which provides young people with a one-to-one befriending and mentoring service.
- What do you think? What would you like to see? Do you agree or disagree with the idea? Let us know at editorial@inverness-courier.co.uk
