Firm hits back at criticism of city flats plan
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The firm behind a controversial plan to build a modern apartment block in a historic area of Inverness has responded to criticism from political leaders.
HRI Architecture, which submitted the planning application for the eight-flat development in Ardross Street on behalf of B&L Properties, says the plan will make a positive contribution to the area.
If successful, the flats will be built between C-listed and B-listed buildings which date back to the 1880s and were given protection by Historic Environment Scotland.
The rest of the street also features traditional Victorian buildings overlooking Northern Meeting Park.
The project was branded a "nightmare" by Depute Provost Graham Ross, who called for developers to consider the architecture of the area.
However, HRI director Andrew Bruce defended the plan, insisting that the proposal had been carefully considered.
"Carefully designed contemporary architecture invariably attracts adverse comment from those who prefer pastiche copies of older architectural styles but constructive, informed comments are always welcome," he said.
"This design has been carefully developed over several months, involving a number of design development stages and being submitted to and discussed in detail with the Inverness design review panel and incorporating their comments, prior to submission for planning consent. Just as the existing buildings on Ardross Street were designed for their time, the new building is reflective of our time and is intended to make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
"Proportion, finishes and materials have been carefully designed to make the architecture of high quality.
"We regret that any councillors or indeed others consider the design inappropriate to its context but trust that, as with other recent contemporary work in the city, if it is consented this design will in time come to be seen as a high quality and entirely in keeping with both the older buildings on Ardross Street and the evolving architecture of Inverness."
