Inverness councillors have given their unanimous backing to what one councillor hoped would be “the blueprint for a healthier, safer and greener Highland capital”
The 110-page draft plan was not without some concerns about consultation, engagement or governance at the Inverness area committee.
The strategy offers a detailed and broad range of development to make the city “attractive, greener” place where locals and tourists alike can “'comfortably live, work and visit.”
It follows hot on the heels of another major set of proposals made by a team led by MP Drew Hendry for Inverness 2035, One City, One Vision that called for a unified strategy for the city.
Though it is unclear how the local authority intends to pay for any of its proposals they will now go out for public consultation after councillors have had their say.
Councillor Emma Knox summed-up the view of many saying: “I would really love this to be the blueprint for a healthier, safer and greener Highland capital.
“In the opening paragraph it is described as a bold and ambitious strategy for Inverness city – well it certainly is that and on the whole I think it is a rather fabulous vision for our Highland capital.
“I am conscious, though, that this is the very start of the process and it will involve further public engagement and no doubt many further iterations before the final design and planning decisions are made.”
Cllr Andrew Jarvie queried why more work was not done to expand the list of consultees with fully one third being made up of council officers.
“There is no denying that this has the potential for an exciting future for the centre, it all seems good and well,” he said.
“But it is a bit of a shame that it has not been tied up with other plans like the Once City, One Vision published only weeks ago by MP Drew Hendry, which got together all the stakeholders and produced something that was really quite something and brought in all the views.
“It appears that a third of those who were consulted were council officers and it has not really gone out any further than BID or the Chamber of Commerce. It has certainly not gone out to individual businesses along the routes which are affected.
He added: “The consultation list is not nearly as expansive enough, even for something that is at an early stage.”
Cllr Margaret Davidson said she refused to be “infected” with Cllr Jarvie’s negativity, adding later: “It is extremely fitting that we commend and approve this vision for Inverness city centre just days after the close of COP26.
“The plan will be a major driver in Highland Council’s transition towards becoming a zero-carbon region supporting a green and circular economy.”
Cllr Alasdair Christie said the draft strategy is a “master plan of activity and vision” that in the midst of rising prices and poverty will allow for the creation of affordable housing and jobs.
“One of things that I am really pleased about seeing in the city is the number of the old derelict buildings that have been empty from the first floor to the top floor for many years that are coming back into use,” he said.
“You can walk through the city centre to see how many vacant units there are so creating housing and independent traders and new attractions and events in the city centre is key.
“And key to that is providing different ways to travel around the city centre. We actually have some very good cycle ways across the city but I think that they are just not particularly well joined-up.
“We need to create good quality jobs in the city. This master plan of activity and vision will actually allow us to do that. I think there is a lot take out of it and to take forward, I think it is ambitious, I think it is forward looking and I think it will deliver a better Inverness.”
Referring to Cllr Davidson’s comments, Cllr Ron MacWilliam said: “I too refuse to be consumed by negativity I have, however, in the past seen cynicism dressed up as positivity. I am not, therefore, going to forfeit my right to question what is going on.
“My concern which is the governance for projects like this is all too familiar to me and I am not sure it will provide the forum for the type of public discourse which is often lacking when it comes to developments approved by this committee.
“So my question relates to community empowerment and how the principles of community empowerment will be applied to major redesign or rethinking or improving the city in how it looks and feels for visitors and residents alike.”