LISTEN: Ideas To Transform Historic Inverness Street
A project to regenerate Academy Street is being launched with a series of consultation events.
There's a new effort to transform the oldest street in Inverness.
Academy Street is the subject of a Townscape Heritage project, which aims to regenerate the Highland Capital's city centre.
Locals are being asked to have their say on how best to revamp the area.
Consultation events are being staged at the city's Ironworks this week.
MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with project officer Lorna Maclennan about transforming Academy Street...
Lorna MacLennan has been appointed as the Strategic Project Officer leading the project for the Council.
She said: “Academy Street is the key gateway to Inverness City Centre for most people arriving by car, bus or train. The Townscape Heritage project is a very exciting opportunity and we have identified a number of key priority heritage restoration projects.
"My team are also working on activity to better engage the wider community in the areas heritage and address some of the key employability issues which are apparent in the area.
"I am delighted to be involved in the development and delivery of this scheme, it is not only the opportunity to address some of the key issues on Academy Street it will also act as catalyst in the wider Inverness Regeneration plans and influence future investment throughout the city.”
Leader of the City of Inverness, Councillor Ian Brown welcomed Lorna’s appointment. He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lorna and look forward to her and the team taking forward the regeneration of this area of the city which has the potential to really bring both social and economic benefits.
"There are some exciting and creative ideas already on the table which is why we want as many people and local businesses to get involved at this early stage and help breathe new life into this part of our city.”
Specific elements identified for grant support under the Townscape Heritage project include:-
- Bringing vacant buildings back into use 2. Reinstatement of original shop fronts 3. Improvement to historic public spaces 4. Education and Training
Matched funding for the delivery of the five year project is secured from The Highland Council and Historic Scotland via the Inverness City Heritage Trust.