Major plans for 57 apartments in the heart of Inverness city centre go on public display
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AMBITIOUS plans were revealed to the public this week for 57 apartments in the heart of Inverness city centre.
One, two and three-bedroomed flats will be built on four floors above six commercial units in the former Arnott’s building on Union Street.
The development will see the building, once owned by House of Fraser, upgraded and modernised in a multi-million pound development.
Drawings were on show to the public on Monday afternoon and evening in The Spectrum Centre, on behalf of developers Swilken.
Designs by Manchester architects, Ollier and Smurthwaite, show that the façade of the original 1863 listed building will remain largely as it is at the moment. Commercial units to the back of the building on Barron Taylor’s Street will be opened up with glass shop fronts onto the street-level. Some of the shops will have basements.
The homes will be built around a private garden-style courtyard. The majority of the homes are two-bedroomed properties while one bedroom and one three bedroomed property are planned.
It is understood the developer is working with a social housing provider.
Community councillor Bill Hepburn said he was interested to see the designs.
He said: “These are designs for one, two and three bedroom homes in the city centre.
“There doesn’t appear to be any scope for homes in multiple occupancy, which is good news.
“The community council will discuss the plans and look at any particular comments the community may have when we make our comments to the planning department.
“Until we discuss it as a community council, I will be keeping an open mind.”
Planning consultants GH Johnston are gathering comments on the plans until Monday, January 23 as part of a pre-planning application.
