Planners to decide on new bid for Inverness brewery
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PLANS for a multi-million pound riverside brewery and visitor attraction for Inverness are entering a second round – after some councillors found the original scheme hard to swallow.
The couple behind the glass-fronted development hope it will clear the final planning hurdle next week after addressing “all outstanding issues”.
Victoria and Jon Erasmus’ vision to remove an existing public bar of the Glen Mhor Hotel to create a state-of-the-art brewery on the city’s Ness Bank was “controversially” rejected by councillors last year.
The couple were disappointed at the decision despite the ambitious project being recommended for approval by planning officials and receiving backing from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
A revised application will be heard by councillors at Highland Council's south planning committee on Tuesday.
The couple, who own the Glen Mhor Hotel which adjoins the proposed development, believe the new plan leaves little grounds for refusal.
They say the new scheme, developed with architectural partners Colin Armstrong Associates, addresses traffic, parking, flood risk and noise issues which concerned planning committee members last time round.
A contentious biomass heating system has been removed from the design.
Specialist transport consultants were also enlisted to produce a transport statement which addresses previous questions over deliveries, parking and coach drop-off.
With Highland Council set to open up Inverness Castle to visitors next Easter and consultations beginning on a see-saw viewing platform beside the River Ness, the couple feel the brewery represents another signal of the city’s intent to punch higher.
“We are hopeful this wonderful project can get under way in earnest,” said Mr Erasmus.
“Once again we would like to thank members of the public, local businesses and organisations of their support, which has been overwhelmingly positive.
“While the previous refusal from the council was disappointing, going against the planners’ recommendations, we have taken their comments on board and, revisiting the plan in detail, have addressed the major points raised. In doing so, we have secured approval for the scheme from all the relevant areas, including environmental, transport, flooding, historical and local planning.”
Architect Colin Armstrong said revisions had already led to several initial objections to the brewery being removed.
He added: “Having addressed all of the technical issues raised at the last meeting, we are pleased that Scottish Environment Protection Agency , the council flood team and transport planning have been able to withdraw their objections and offer their support.
“Along with the removal of the contentious biomass heating system, we hope that this reinforces the planning officers’ previous and present recommendation for approval and leads to a very positive outcome for our client, and, we believe, the city.”
Should the project get the green light, 12 new jobs will be created and a previous history of brewing in the area, stretching back to the 1700s, will be revived.
The brewery’s glass atrium will offer restaurant and visitor centre visitors excellent views across the River Ness to Inverness Cathedral and the project is estimated to bring millions of pounds to the Highland Capital’s economy.
Inverness BID manager Mike Smith said: “The BID board are fully supportive of the planning application for Inverness Brewery which they see as an exciting new development in the city centre.
“It will increase the tourism offer for our many visitors. This is an innovative way of using this site. Not only will it enhance the experience for people coming to Inverness but it is bound to be beneficial to the local economy.”
