Plans For Multi-Million Pound Brewery Back For Approval
Plans for a multi million pound brewery and visitor attraction for Inverness are going back before council planners later.
Plans for a multi million pound brewery and visitor attraction for Inverness are going back before council planners later.
Victoria and Jon Erasmus’ want to remove an existing public bar to create a state-of-the-art brewery on the city’s Ness Bank was controversially rejected by councillors last year.
That was despite approval by planning officials and backing from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
The revised application will be heard by planning officials today and the couple, who own the Glen Mhor Hotel which adjoins the proposed glass fronted brewery and visitor centre, believe the new plan leaves little grounds for refusal.
Developed in tandem with architectural partners, Colin Armstrong Associates, the new plan addresses traffic, parking, flood risk and noise issues which gave concerns to the committee last time round.
A contentious biomass heating system has been removed from the design completely.
“We are hopeful this wonderful project can get underway in earnest,” said Jon Erasmus.
“Once again we would like to thank members of the public, local businesses and organisations of their support, which has been overwhelmingly positive.
“While the previous refusal from the Council was disappointing- going against the planners’ recommendations, we have taken their comments on board and, revisiting the plan in detail, have addressed the major points raised. In doing so, we have secured approval for the scheme from all the relevant areas, including environmental, transport, flooding, historical and local planning.”
Colin Armstrong of architects, Colin Armstrong Associates, said revisions had already led to several bodies removing their initial objections to the brewery.
“Having addressed all of the technical issues raised at the last meeting, we are pleased that SEPA, the Council Flood Team and Transport Planning have been able to withdraw their objections and offer their support. Along with the removal of the contentious biomass heating system, we hope that this reinforces the planning officers’ previous and present recommendation for approval and leads to a very positive outcome for our client, and, we believe, the City.”
Should the project get the green light, 12 new jobs will be created.
The brewery’s glass atrium will offer restaurant and visitor centre visitors views across the River Ness to Inverness Cathedral.
Inverness BID Manager, Mike Smith, said: “The BID Board are fully supportive of the planning application for Inverness Brewery which they see as an exciting new development in the city centre.
“It will increase the tourism offer for our many visitors. This is an innovative way of using this site. Not only will it enhance the experience for people coming to Inverness but it is bound to be beneficial to the local economy.”