THE controversial plan for the new Inverness West Link Road faces another major obstacle as a fifth of landowners involved have objected to the compulsory purchase of their property.
Their decision to oppose Highland Council’s compulsory orders raises the prospect of a public local inquiry into the multimillion pound plans – a step which many campaigners against the scheme have been calling for.
A decision over whether to hold an inquiry will be made by the Scottish Government.
More than 120 parcels of land – owned by just 20 different individuals and companies – are required for the road, which will create a new link between Ness-side and the A82 Inverness-Fort William road.
Sam MacNaughton, Highland Council’s head of transport and infrastructure, said that negotiations were ongoing with the landowners.
Plots needed to complete the project include land at Torvean Golf Course, the disused Millerton filling station, parts of the towpath along the canal and industrial land at the Dick Precast yard.
Four unnamed landowners are objecting to their land being bought by the council.
The council’s chosen route for the multi- million-pound scheme includes a second swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal and a low-level fixed bridge over the River Ness.
However, the project has proved controversial, with more than 400 people lodging objections when the planning application was revealed in October last year.
Those voicing concerns include sportScotland and a number of sport clubs whose facilities will be affected if the road is built.
Many more members of the public objected, stating that the council has selected the wrong scheme. They have called for a bridge or tunnel to be created further west on the outskirts of the city.
Campaigner Brian MacGregor welcomed the increasing likelihood of a public local inquiry yesterday.
He said: “I would be absolutely delighted with a public local inquiry. It would give us an opportunity to focus on the fact the council never at any time fully considered a tunnel at Torvean.”
It is expected that the council’s south planning applications committee will be asked to decide whether to grant planning permission in April.
A public local inquiry could also be triggered if there is an appeal against the granting of planning permission.
Campaigners against the road have raised concerns that the purchase of land will push the cost of the scheme much higher than estimated.
The latest estimate of the cost of the route over the River Ness and Caledonian Canal – known as option six – was £34million in October. The figure is about £7million more than the original forecast in 2011.
The figure does not take account of the cost of providing replacement sports facilities, which could add another £10million and, with construction work not due to begin until 2015, it is feared costs will continue to rise.
There is also no estimate for the cost of compulsorily purchasing the land needed. The Scottish Government has confirmed that they received four objections to the compulsory purchase orders by the recent closing date.
However a spokeswoman said that the names of those involved could not be revealed because of data protection legislation.
According to a government guide to the process, if any of the objectors refuse to withdraw their opposition, an inquiry would be held.
Ministers will now examine the objections and allow Highland Council to comment on them.