No giving up on Inverness river artwork fight
CAMPAIGNERS against a decision giving the green light to a controversial artwork have pledged to fight on.
The My Ness proposal for two crescent shaped seating areas near the Ness Islands was discussed at Monday night’s meeting of Ballifeary Community Council, where claims were made that Highland Council was not listening to resident’s concerns.
Around 30 people squeezed into the Bught Stop, some angry that the planning application had been decided by officials and not gone before the south planning applications committee for greater scrutiny.
Davis Haas, the council's Inverness city manager, answered questions from disgruntled residents on the artwork, but said there was nothing he could do in relation to the decision taken through delegated powers, adding that all procedures had been properly adhered to including consultations.
Community councillor Helen Smith said there options to have the issue brought back to committee appeared to be dwindling.
“It is going to be very difficult, but I don’t see why we should give up," she said.
“Being out and about, people are really annoyed and frustrated that Highland Council is not listening.
“I feel very frustrated about it too.”
Andrew Smith, treasurer of the community council, will go through the community’s concerns with Mr Haas, but admitted options to have further public scrutiny on the matter were deminished.
Mr Smith said: “The artwork is very controversial, and it’s up to the community council to express the views of the people in the area, and the people are not happy with the procedure.
“I know there is concern on how the decision has been taken.
“I don’t know what our next steps will be, but at this stage we have limited scope to amend the decision.”
Members of the community council will meet soon to discuss a way forward.
A petition set up against the proposal has more than 1000 signatures.
