Highland Council denies it has 'confirmed' plans to place Inverness museum at the Town House car park
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Highland Council has denied that it will immediately implement plans to move Inverness museum to what is currently the Town House car park, saying that such a development lies far in the future and there isn’t the money for it now.
Built in 1961, the museum along with offices became part of what travel writer Bill Bryson once described as a "sensationally ugly" building which the council bought at a cost of £5.2 million with a view to demolishing it.
What is planned for the museum is a move from its current location in Castle Wynd and Castle Street was revealed in the [hit the link to the document:] Inverness Castle Heat Network Feasibility Study that came before the climate change committee.
That document indicated a plan for a “three-phase programme for the Inverness Castle redevelopment project” – Phase 1 would be the redevelopment of the castle and Town House that is currently under way; Phase 2 includes the “construction of a new premises for Inverness Museum and Art Gallery” adding that “a timeline for the new complex to the north of the castle is determined by construction of a new space for Inverness Museum and Art Gallery”; Phase 3 would see the “construction of a new development complex to include retail, office and residential space.”
That appears to now be updated to a five phase plan – the Town House restoration (Phase 1), Inverness Castle redevelopment (Phase 2), and the construction of the Castle Street Energy Centre (Phase 3). And now noted as “possible developments” for Phases 4 and 5 could see the development of a new cultural hub which “could include an expanded museum and gallery” but according to the council “there are no confirmed plans".
A number of traders in Castle Street, where the car park is located, could potentially come out against any redevelopment of the car park.
Previously Denise Collins, who runs the Castle Gallery, which is opposite the car park, has been campaigning for the car park to be available to the public at all times – at the moment it is for daytime use by Highland councillors and staff.
She said: “Although very poorly publicised, this facility was being used by customers to the small, local, independent businesses on Castle Street and nearby areas.
“The termination of this facility shows an appalling lack of judgement on the part of the council, especially in light of the Scottish Government’s recent announcement of funds to promote city centre footfall recovery.”
A council spokesman said: “The redevelopment of the Castlehill area is part of a five-phase masterplan.
“Phase 1 was the restoration of the Town House, Phase 2 is the redevelopment of Inverness Castle, Phase 3 is the construction of the Castle Street Energy Centre.
“Possible developments for Phases 4 and 5 on Castle Street and Bridge Street may include the development of a new cultural hub which could include an expanded museum and gallery – there are no confirmed plans.
“There are no resources on the horizon as yet and, as such, no consultation is planned for the near future. If the prospect of investment did emerge then a full public consultation process would be initiated.”
