YOUR VIEWS: Inverness Caley Thistle battery storage and Academy Street plans

What has been provoking comment among readers this week?

Battery storage decision to be looked at again

Highland Council is to reconsider plans for a battery storage facility touted by Inverness Caley Thistle as core to its future financial wellbeing. The plan had been approved by the south planning committee before the chairman and vice-chairman, councillors Thomas MacLennan and Paul Oldham, emailed councillors to say that the very low number of committee members able to be a part of that decision on the day meant the process was “a bad look for the council”. They got agreement to refer the decision on to full council, a move criticised by the club.

“Councillor MacLennan and Councillor Oldham lose a vote and demand a re-run. How is any future development going to happen if approval, by the normal planning process, can then be queried, and perhaps reversed, at the whim of a couple of councillors? Why would any business propose new stuff if the ‘loss of amenity land’ card can be pulled to stymie it?” – Donald Mackenzie, Inverness

“This is a crazy situation and makes one wonder if the council want investment in Inverness which we badly need.” – Bill McDougall, Culloden

Getting the full picture on Academy Street plan?

Inverness BID has complained that the terms of reference for an economic impact assessment to be carried out into proposals to limit traffic access to Academy Street is skewed too far in favour of considering the benefits of the scheme over the disadvantages.

“They are doing all this in Edinburgh with fake consultations taking place – the council use ridiculous surveys which are skewed in favour of the council’s plans. They don’t want to consult with local businesses and are ruthless in ignoring valid concerns. It’s disastrous. They have brought an LTN (low traffic neighbourhood) in the west of Corstorphine against most of the residents’ and businesses’ wishes. It has caused a lot of upset and Edinburgh Council, led by Scott Arthur, do not care. It’s a disgrace. This plan for Inverness city centre will kill business and make it a ghost town apart from in the tourist season. It’s very unfair to residents and businesses and should be actively fought against.” – Alison Savage, Nairn

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