Revised plans for sports pitch at new £15m school in Inverness
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Revised plans are being considered for a sports pitch and outdoor area at a £15 million school being developed in Inverness.
Highland Council has submitted a planning application to develop a 3G sports pitch and multi use games area (MUGA) with associated lighting and sports fencing on land to the north of Torbreck to serve the new Ness Castle Primary School.
Although the school will open next month, the sport pitch and games area will not be in place.
The opening of the school, being built by Kier Construction, was originally set for August 2022.
But it has been hit by delays which have been blamed on various factors affecting the construction industry.
The council also removed development of the new sports pitch and MUGA from the construction contract and is doing the work itself.
The layouts differ from those in the original contract works to reflect pre-application comments from the council’s planning team.
A noise assessment submitted with the original application recommended a 2.5m barrier to ensure noise from the MUGA and sports pitch complied with the maximum noise level at the nearest noise sensitive property. It is now proposed to install a 3m barrier “Rebound” fence.
A response submitted by the council’s environmental health team says the service has no objections to the application but recommends various conditions including the approval of a noise management scheme and floodlighting should be designed to reduce obtrusive light.
Forestry officers have also asked for a tree survey as there is a line of mature birch trees along the site’s southern side. Officers say there is no confirmation of trees to be retained, trees to be removed, tree protection measures for retained trees or replacement planting for trees to be removed.
Currently, prospective pupils at the new-build school are being taught in temporary and spare classrooms at Holm Primary School.
A council spokeswoman said: “The new building remains on programme to be open for pupils from February 27. The sports pitch/multi-use games area will not be in place by then.”
