Highland Council agrees major Bught Park pavilion revamp despite concerns over ‘big red blob’ design
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Ambitious redevelopment plans for Bught Park almost hit the skids today as Inverness councillors admitted they don’t like the designs but ultimately gave the go ahead to what was called a “big red blob.”
That was a reference to an artist’s impression of the new Bught pavilion and councillors didn’t pull their punches with another likening it to “an office block in Basingstoke.”
The application featured a refurbished grandstand with an extension to the back housing new changing rooms. To the south west, a detached two-storey pavilion building including a shinty museum, offices and multi-functional event spaces.
The development will also include a revamped car park and a new one-way exit from large events onto Bught Avenue but the modern, simplistic design divided opinion.
The three projects along the River Ness in Inverness are being supported with almost £20 million from the Levelling Up Fund.
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The projects will boost the city’s sporting and cultural attractions, preserve key heritage assets, help attract more tourists, and assist in achieving net zero carbon targets.
Members piled in with design suggestions. They asked if the red colour could be changed, if a balcony could be added, and why the building doesn’t have solar panels.
Exasperated planners told the committee that they were in a planning meeting, not a design one but, undeterred, councillors briefly considered refusing the application, before finally agreeing to grant permission – with final designs going to local members.
Be bold or be bland?
Chairman of the south planning applications committee Thomas MacLennan described the core issue as whether to be “bold or bland” in the Bught Park design vision.
Members including Bill Boyd and Angus MacDonald suggested the design should be more traditional. Cllr Boyd wants to see more use of local Scottish materials, including dry stone dykes.
Cllr MacDonald said his great grandfather and his brother were past presidents of the Camanachd Association and they would be disappointed with the design while Cllr Bill Lobban simply asked: “Does it have to be red?”
The artist’s impressions rendered the pavilion bright red, which officers explained is based on the original proposed corten steel exterior. This weathers to a rust colour.
Since then, the design has evolved to include cladding instead, and planners stressed the colour need not be as bright as pictured.
However, members were not convinced. They felt the colour was a step too far, whilst adding that they’d have liked to see a balcony added to the front of the building.
‘Solar panels should be standard’
Members also took issue with the lack of solar panels on the design. The council’s energy team has planned the whole development to be low energy, and allowed for solar panels in the grandstand. But the pavilion itself doesn’t feature solar panels.
Councillors slammed this as a missed opportunity. Cllr Boyd said the council should not put up any buildings without solar panels, and should set an example to other developers.
Planning officers urged members to leave those details to the energy team.
Councillors Andrew Mackintosh and Russell Jones, who has a lengthy background in shinty, both welcomed the development, flagging its importance for the city and the sport of shinty.
However, Cllr Ken Gowans summed up the ambivalence felt by many, saying: “This is a very modern design. I can’t make up my mind if this is something we should welcome or draw back from.”
He added that while recognising the Bught Park development as a “huge step forward for the area” he added: “Half of me thinks this is good, modern, and the other half thinks ‘What are we doing?'”
The Cllr Maclennan agreed, asking the committee: “Should this new pavilion have conformity with the old one or should it be a total contrast and stand there proudly saying ‘I’m new, I’m modern?’
“I’m betwixt and between.”
Members told this is not design by committee
However, planning officials intervened in the debate. They reminded the committee that they were being asked to judge the current planning application on its merits.
Cllrs Angus MacDonald and Laurie Fraser then tabled a proposal to defer the application until the council could undertake a redesign.
But the chairman took advice and told members they can’t just bounce the application back – the deferral would have to be a refusal – and Cllr MacDonald withdrew his amendment.
Cllr Lobban proposed that the committee agree the proposals as tabled, with the condition that the final designs come before local members and the committee chairman and the committee agreed.
Reaction
Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister for Scotland
"It's fantastic to see this project being given the green light to deliver eco-friendly improvements to the local area, enhancing spaces for residents to enjoy while attracting visitors to the area.
"This is being supported with £20m as part of the UK government's £2 billion investment in levelling-up across Scotland."
Councillor Ian Brown, Inverness City and Area Leader, Co-Chair of the Levelling Up Programme Board
“The decision made today means we have reached a key milestone, allowing us to continue on to deliver a range of enhanced, public focussed, outdoor & indoor spaces in the city of Inverness, each contributing to the UK Government’s net zero carbon targets.
“We would like to thank everyone who provided valuable feedback both online and during wider public engagement sessions. This not only provided us with the opportunity to take onboard people’s views but allowed us to continue to build relationships with our local communities and stakeholders during the planning process.”
Drew Hendry, MP and Co-Chair of the Levelling Up Programme Board
“These projects move us closer to achieving our shared ambitions for a greener and sustainable city by creating public, cultural and tourism development right in the heart of Inverness, with the potential to deliver economic benefits for the city and the wider Highlands.
“As these projects progress, local residents and community groups must be part of the conversation, and I look forward to working closely with them, other elected members and businesses over the coming months as these exciting plans take shape.”
Mark Tate, Chair of High Life Highland
“High Life Highland is committed to supporting the delivery of these important projects and we look forward to successfully managing these much improved venues.”
