Rebel Highland councillor proud of OpenNess campaigners opposed to Inverness riverside art project
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The councillor who forced the special meeting of the Inverness city committee to reconsider the River Ness artworks has been left “hugely disappointed” by the decision to continue with the project – but proud of campaigners.
Inverness Ness-side member Councillor Ron MacWilliam tried to have the arts working group overseeing the scheme disbanded this week, but was defeated when that idea was put to the vote, before councillors also decided 15-7 in favour of work continuing as planned.
He said: “I am hugely disappointed but at the same time very proud of the campaign that has been run by the OpenNess group. I think what they have done and what I hope I have helped them do is shine a light on the practices within Highland Council which, between election times, are getting less and less democratic.
“I think Invernessians are angry and rightly so, because these decisions are being taken with absolutely no regard for their opinion or concerns, which are real and legitimate.”
Other councillors at the meeting raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the My Ness artwork as well as the lack of access to the work for those with mobility difficulties.
On the lack of an environmental impact assessment being carried out, Culloden and Ardersier councillor Glynnis Campbell-Sinclair said: “I am just a wee bit afraid now they could have set a precedent. Are they going to let go any application that comes in, particularly in a conservation area, without an environmental impact assessment?”
Aird and Loch Ness councillor Emma Knox said: “I read a statement defending the current design that said it would be ‘as accessible as possible’. If it really was as accessible as possible surely it would, in fact, be accessible?”
Councillors agreed the project must be completed within 18 months, with no extra funding.
Provost Helen Carmichael defended the way the process has been handled to date.
“I firmly believe that we have reviewed, scrutinised and conducted the business of this working group as we were tasked to do by this committee,” she said.
