Residents call for action on fire-damaged hospital
Objectors to the expansion of an Inverness housing estate are calling on the developer to first renovate a fire-damaged landmark.
Robertson Homes has submitted an application to build 51 new houses in the latest phase of its ongoing development at Craig Dunain, Westercraigs.
But the plans have run into opposition from local residents and community leaders who maintain the company should first finish its plans to convert the old Craig Dunain hospital into apartments. They say the listed building has been allowed to fall into ruin and become a magnet for vandals since being damaged by fire eight years ago.
Objectors also claim the planned homes would result in the loss of open green space currently used as a play area by children while the access road to the development is full of potholes and sub-standard.
Robertson Homes insists, however, its proposals for the site are as they have always been and hopes to meet residents soon to outline plans for the former hospital.
Opponents include Martin Stubbs Partridge, of Bishop’s View. “We are very concerned about the impact that further development would have on our community, particularly in relation to the lack of open space and lack of amenity,” he said. “It appears as though Robertson Homes are ‘picking off’ the easiest bits of land for further development without implementing their obligation to improve the local infrastructure, community facilities and the former hospital which were part of the original consent.”
Bill Anderson, chairman of the Inverness Local History Forum and a member of Muirtown Community Council, is also concerned that the B-listed building is in danger of being lost unless action is taken soon.
“I think the original plan to convert the building into flats should be adhered to before any further planning permission is granted.”
Some residents have called for Highland Council to serve an order on Robertson Homes requiring it to be repaired.
Others have raised concerns that the character of the area will become a concrete jungle if new homes are allowed on the existing open areas.
“This is a particularly beautiful part of Inverness in which people choose to live because of the sense of closeness to nature,” said one objector.
Residents’ fears are shared by Inverness West Independent Councillor Graham Ross. “It is loss of amenity,” he said. “It is over provision.”
He also was concerned that Robertson Homes had not yet completed work on the old hospital building.
John Murphy, managing director of Robertson Homes, said the company’s current application to build 51 family homes at Westercraigs formed part of the masterplan for the development approved by Highland Council in 2005.
“Our plans for the site are as they have always been,” he said. “We are currently in the process of arranging to meet the local community to discuss our proposals for the rest of Gleann Mor House. We are also moving forward with plans to upgrade the link road to the A82.”
Regarding concerns over the green space, he said the site included in the current application had always been intended for development and not a play area.
