Work set to begin on new Inverness city centre flats
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After a delay due to the coronavirus crisis, work is set to begin on a major city centre retail and residential development in Inverness.
The development in Church Street is being led by Ark Estates whose recent Raining’s Stairs redevelopment for Highland Council, Highland Housing Alliance and Scottish Government won a coveted Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS) award.
It will see a vacant building converted into 10 high quality affordable rental one-bedroom flats as well as a purpose-built ground floor retail unit.
Construction work will be carried out following Covid-19 safety guidelines.
Brian Innes, from principle contractor on the project, IBI Joiners, said: "The enhanced safety measures we will be putting in place at 99 Church Street include the introduction of temperature checks for staff and visitors to the site, a rota system and one way routes to allow for social distancing.
"With the site being so tight we took the decision to have our site welfare in a neighbouring city centre building which will allow us to have enhanced facilities and maintain social distancing.
"There will also be increased cleaning on site, and arrangements have been made for materials to be delivered in a way where social distancing can be maintained.
"There will be a phased return to work on site which will gradually build up from a small number of workers, to prove the new safe systems of working, and it will be continually monitored."
Willie Gray, managing director of Ark Estates, said: "We are delighted to be seeing work commence at 99 Church Street which will provide much needed affordable housing and purpose-built retail space for the city centre.
"It’s a real sign of the recovery of a sector which has suffered due to coronavirus.
"The lockdown was absolutely the right way to try and contain coronavirus but now, in line with government advice, we are returning to work – with the safety of workers on site and those in the supply chain being our absolute priority.
"With Inverness-based IBI Joiners appointed as principle contractor on the development – with many local sub contractors also set to be used – the development will be a great boost for the local economy, providing employment for up to 45 workers during the build."
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, said: "I am delighted to see work is due to start at 99 Church Street and I’m particularly pleased to see that the appropriate processes have been put in place to ensure it can be done safely.
"This promises to be an exciting and much-needed retail and residential development which will enhance the city centre of Inverness.
"After the unscheduled delay due to Covid-19 it is an encouraging sign that we are starting to slowly return to something closer to normality."
Allan Maguire, head of development and regeneration at Highland Council, said: "This is yet another great example of the public and private sectors working together to regenerate the city centre, stimulating the economic recovery of the city and providing new high-quality homes."
The site at 99 Church Street was recently voluntarily vacated by New Start Highland after a search for more suitable premises.
