Planning hassle over prominent Inverness building resolved
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Highland Council took enforcement action last year to stop the former So Coco restaurant in Inverness High Street being painted bright pink.
The paint job had been started without listed building consent.
Since then the new occupants, Inverness Retail Ltd, have traded as a Scottish souvenir and tartan shop under the name House of Highlands – but still under the So Coco signs and the half-completed colour scheme.
But now the business has been granted permission for shop front alterations and a paint job in dark blue and dark red with gold detailing and stags head logos, all deemed more suitable for a B-listed building opposite historic Inverness Town House.
Curved display boards on the corner with Church Street were also approved, despite Inverness Civic Trust objecting.
The trust said: “In principle, we welcome the refurbishment of the shop front but considers that the selection of colours and the dominance of signage along with the proposed manner of lighting are unsympathetic to the listed building.”
Colin McPherson of the trust said their approach is not to object to anything that challenges the historic character of the city, but to offer constructive criticism and encourage applicants to "up their game" where this is appropriate.
He said: "In fact, it was as a result of the Trust's objection to earlier So Coco proposals that changes were made to the colour scheme, lighting and signage that were ultimately approved."
