Long-awaited plans for converting a former city college into an artists’ haven and housing for older people have been backed by councillors.
The south planning committee approved the proposal for the old Midmills College despite a lengthy debate in which some members warned of access and parking problems.
The former campus will become a mix of studio space and sheltered and affordable housing in the affluent Crown area of the Inverness. It is a joint venture between the council, the Workshop and Artists’ Studio Provision (Wasps) and retirement home developer McCarthy and Stone.
The campus closed last year when Inverness College UHI moved to a new home at Beechwood.
Wasps Studios will take over the iconic main building as a creative centre incorporating studio and gallery space. McCarthy and Stone will build 53 private retirement apartments for the over 60s. The council will provide 30 so-called “affordable homes” for the over 55s.
The council will purchase part of the site from McCarthy and Stone and both will provide financial support to Wasps to help bring the listed building back to a usable standard.
Steve Wiseman of McCarthy and Stone said the development, which was partly shaped by local residents’ input at a consultation event, would help preserve a treasured historic building “while creating exciting new creative and housing opportunities for local people.”
Audrey Carlin of Wasps said: “We were enthused to meet so many local creative people at our last feedback meeting and we’re delighted so many local artists and makers are excited about this project.”
City councillor Allan Duffy aired his concerns about parking issues in a condensed area but informed there would be 71 designated spaces for residents in addition to existing parking spaces for use of the artists’ studios.
Officials promised a traffic management plan as part of planning conditions.
Content with the decision, councillor Thomas Prag described it as “a terrific development.”
Councillor Donnie Kerr urged officials to establish a community liaison group to keep local residents abreast of the project. The developers hope the entire development can be completed by 2018.