Fears as cost of Inverness campus project 'going through roof'
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COSTS of restoring the historic Midmills Campus are higher than feared and plans to retain it for community use may be in jeopardy, developers have warned.
The listed building, which used to house Inverness College, is currently earmarked for conversion into a creative hub under joint proposals by McCarthy & Stone, Highland Council and Wasps Studios. Retirement housing is also expected to be built elsewhere in the grounds.
But McCarthy & Stone has warned the main building is in a much worse state of disrepair than first thought and the creative hub development is at risk due to escalating costs – understood to be upwards of £900,000.
It has come forward with alternative proposals to convert the listed building into flats should Wasps Studios be unable to commit to the "significant" additional expense of the hub plan.
However, the developer added that it was also looking at ways to increase the number of retirement homes on site to help meet the funding shortfall and allow Wasps’ creative hub to go ahead.
Steve Wiseman, managing director of McCarthy & Stone in Scotland, said: "We have had to explore a range of options to ensure we can bring forward a viable master plan which will save and preserve the listed buildings for generations to come.
"We are continuing to investigate potential solutions to bring the preferred master plan forward to develop a creative hub and artists’ studios.
"I would encourage people to come along to find out more and to give us their views."
He added that all of the options include private retirement apartments designed for people over 60 with a range of shared living spaces, guest suite for visitors and landscaped gardens. A house manager would oversee the development and residents would have access to a 24-hour emergency call system.
Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird is concerned the main building might be lost to community use and urged all parties to do everything in their power to source the money needed to meet the rising costs of the original plan.
"This building has played a very important role in a lot of lives and there is a very strong feeling people want to retain it for public use," he said.
The range of options will be exhibited at the Crown Church on Thursday from 1pm to 7pm. The architect’s drawings and artists’ impressions will be on display. Members of the development team will also be available to discuss the plans and answer questions.
Highland Council confirmed extra money will be needed to repair the roof and replace the ageing heating system.
A spokeswoman said: "Wasps Studios have drawn up a specification of works. McCarthy & Stone are working with the council and other public sector partners to identify funding sources to enable Wasps Studios to carry out these works should the planning application be successful."
They did not confirm or deny the scale of the costs when asked.
Feedback from this week’s consultation will be used to inform a planning application once the final master plan is agreed.
Despite the extra costs, Wasps Studios said it remained hopeful about the planned community hub.
"As with any listed buildings the costs associated with restoration and conversion are not inconsiderable, however, we have assessed the condition of the buildings and know how much is required to make the buildings wind, water-tight and heated," said a spokeswoman.
"We are in the process of working with the council and a number of other organisations to raise the funds required and should the planning application be successful hope we will be in a position to move in during 2017."
"Wasps has considerable experience of restoring listed buildings across Scotland having raised and invested over £22 million in such buildings over the past 39 years. We operate 17 studio buildings all over Scotland, and with 900 tenants are Scotland’s largest cultural community."
Anyone unable to attend the exhibition can call McCarthy & Stone’s freephone information line on 0800 088 4322 or visit www.mccarthyand stone.co.uk
