Highland Council gives go-ahead for Inverness hotel extension
AN Inverness hotel is set to expand by almost a third to meet increased summer demand in the area.
Jury’s Inn Hotel in Millburn Road, which currently has 118 bedrooms, has been granted council planning permission to build 34 more bedrooms on stilts over part of the car park bringing the total number of bedrooms to 152.
The extension will be on two floors linked to the existing six-storey main building by a bridge corridor.
Having the extension on stilts will preserve much of the parking space below.
The site is bordered on the north and east by the A9.
Jury’s planning report states: “The main aim for the new extension is to connect it elegantly to the existing hotel and increase the accommodation.”
The proposed extension would compliment the existing colour palate of the hotel and include a large, metallic, copper frame. The report added: “The copper panels are utilised again alongside a stepped brick section to bring texture and interest to the exposed gable facing on to the car park.
“Gold metallic panels beside the windows and inside the frame add further interest and compliment the copper elements. A new copper entrance canopy further connects the existing hotel with the proposal.”
The council report says in its conclusion: “The application presents an unexpected windfall development founded on the existence of the parent hotel which is performing well in a buoyant tourism market.
“The provision of further accommodation at this site is supported within the development plan and will further the economy of Highland.
“There are no unresolved objections from any consultees and no public concerns have been raised with the application.”
