Walk this way along coast as organisers hoping to create waterfront walk on the former Longman landfill site in Inverness give members of the public a guided tour
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Organisers behind a plan to create a waterfront walk in Inverness met interested members of the public at the proposed site for a guided tour of the area.
The walk at the former Longman landfill site was organised by the campaign group, Save the Inverness Waterfront.
They wanted to see what potential there is for the development of park-like amenities in the area, such as a waterfront walking and cycle path, picnic facilities, woodland walking paths and other options.
Spokesman Jay Wilson, a local walker and developer of the 147-mile Inverness to John o’Groats Trail, said: “We found an area that is largely ready to become a country day park with views over the Moray Firth, areas of open green space, as well as mature woodland, all within easy walking and cycling distance of Inverness city centre. However, this area is threatened with development that will destroy its potential.”
The group was originally formed because people were concerned about what was going on along the Inverness coastline, with key development decisions due to be made in the coming months.
Mr Wilson said the site, between the Caledonian Stadium and Inverness Retail Park, contained two miles of green coastline with potential for a coastal walk/cycle path, green fields and woodland walks, with easy access to the heart of Inverness.
He added: “A large part of this little-known green space is currently identified for development as an industrial estate, destroying about 40 acres of mature woodland and another 40 acres of grassland.
“Our group is campaigning for the entire former landfill site to be preserved for amenity, recreational and perhaps tourism/hospitality use.
“This would include the preservation of the mature woodland. We are certain that more suitable sites can be found for industrial development, further from the city centre and not along the Moray Firth waterfront.
Mr Wilson said the local community should be discussing whether to keep this as open parkland or allow development such as waterfront cafés, pubs and hotels. He added: “Instead, the city is quietly planning an industrial park by the sea.”
Paul Shercliff, local walker and NHS employee, said: “Besides Merkinch Nature Reserve there’s nowhere in Inverness where the public can look out over open water.”
Roland Spencer-Jones, a walker, cyclist, and former GP, said: “Other Scottish towns are developing their waterfronts. Surely Highland Council can come up with something more imaginative for its waterfront than industrial development.”
Mr Wilson has previously contacted David Haas, Highland Council’s Inverness city area manager, and was told the matter was being discussed within the planning team.
Mr Haas said the former Longman landfill site was allocated in the adopted Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan, and its update was currently out for public consultation.
In an email Mr Haas said: “This land is in the ownership of the Highland Council. Part of the site is allocated for mixed use, and was recently subject of a successful de-licensing application to SEPA.
“This means design and planning work can progress to deliver the mixed-use allocation.”
• Visit the group’s Facebook page.
