Traffic concerns voiced over Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust plans to create a "game-changing" new venue for women's and amateur football
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Ambitious plans to create a major new venue for women’s and amateur football beside an Inverness secondary school have raised traffic management concerns.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust has been working towards creating a “game-changing” £1-2 million home base for the Caley Thistle women’s team, girls’ academy and an array of other grassroots clubs and teams.
With a “show pitch” for matches central to the 10-acre training pitch development opposite Inverness Royal Academy (IRA), it would make ICTWFC the first Scottish women’s team in Scotland to secure a dedicated home ground.
The Trust has lodged a planning application to kick start the project, featuring a blueprint for the creation of changing rooms, office space, a classroom, parking and access to the site.
Lochardil and Drummond Community Council is supportive of the development of the IRA playing fields as grounds for football amateur teams and restoration of the old athletics track.
But it has concerns over the impact the facility could have on roads and traffic volume in the area.
Dr Marie de la Torre, chairwoman of the council, wrote in a submission to planners: “These will be important assets for the community.
“We have no objection with the proposed building, storage and bike facilities; the building design is low profile, fitting with the surroundings.
“We have some concerns with the proposed traffic management plan, in that some of the traffic management details are not completely clear or still need to be confirmed.
“We are aware that this is an issue that has been raised with us by users and residents so would be keen to ensure plans are developed further.”
The chairwoman pointed to already heavy use of the IRA car parks, both during and after school hours.
She continued: “The IRA school car park is well used during the school day and also in evenings by the sport centre and school field users.
“There is therefore a need to ensure that other parking is available for the new facility users. Securing parking by the Rollerbowl would be the most convenient.
“There is also potential to use the area adjacent to the Gaelic nursery and the Gaelic school car park which are not used in the evenings.
“The plan suggests that spaces at ASDA and Fairways could also be accessed.
“Further confirmation of this would be important. We would also like to see that, as part of the site plans, the design of a path/entrance that allows access on foot from the back of Rollerbowl and/or some of the alternative sites is included.
“We understand that the facilities will be available to the IRA school during the daytime and there will be some access for community purposes, which are important to confirm as part of any conditions for the project.”
The Trust, the football club’s charitable arm, secured the old IRA playing fields on a 25-year lease from Highland Council.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women's youth set up has gone from strength to strength but has no permanent home base.
Public consultation on the proposal is complete and a determination deadline has been set for March 29.
