Extensive prehistoric remains found at site of new Inverness prison
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A TEAM of archeologists have found extensive prehistoric remains at the site earmarked for the new £66 million prison.
Highland Council archaeologist Kirsty Cameron is calling for a full scale excavation to the 18-acre plot near Inverness Shopping Park.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has already lodged a planning application to build a prison in the area to replace the 115-year-old Porterfield Prison.
The SPS was looking to start work on the facility in December 2018, to be completed by 2020 or early 2021.
Ms Cameron lodged a consultation response, stating: “Initial archaeological evaluation work carried out in advance of the submission of this application has identified that extensive buried prehistoric remains survive here.”
She is calling for conditions to be attached to the planning permission so that no development or work can begin until a plan has been submitted to the planning authority for evaluating, preserving and recording of archaeological and historical features affected by the proposed work.
The prison was originally proposed for the Milton of Leys area of Inverness but after a public outcry the proposed site was changed.
The determination deadline for the application is September 25.
