Inverness residents have been offered assurance that parking will not become a problem with a new justice centre that is planned for the city.
While supportive of the project, members of Crown and City Centre Community Council have registered concerns about the potential impact of a major courts and offices complex planned for the site of the former bus depot in Burnett Road.
The group has concluded that “the detailed application presents a building which will make a positive use of this brown field location and will, in turn, allow an alternative use for Inverness Castle”.
They said they believe it will “generally benefit the town centre” but said: “There is some concern that parking provision may be easily oversubscribed – and indiscriminate parking in this location should be vigorously avoided.
“The justice centre should, therefore, ensure that every effort is made to encourage public transport use by staff and visitors and be selective in their control of the car park to ensure that users allowed access have a prime need by reason of travel to work or occupational duties.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said: “We’re committed to sustainable travel planning and will work closely with Highland Council and the planners on the optimal travel plan for the centre.”
The courts service submitted its planning application for the £23million development last month.
If approved the purpose-built facility will include six court rooms and will provide a range of services for victims and specialist facilities aimed at tackling reoffending.
It has been backed by the Scottish Government and senior sheriffs who said it would set a “benchmark” for justice for the rest of the country.
If approved the plans will eventually lead to Inverness Castle being opened up to the public as a major new city tourist attraction.