A controversial art project proposed for Inverness could still go ahead – despite a public outcry over its £300,000 cost to the public purse.
The “tilting pier” sculpture was planned for a spot on Huntly Street as part of a £760,000 city-wide project.
But yesterday, the results of a public consultation revealed nearly three quarter of people who commented did not want it.
However, instead of scrapping the plans, the council has instead launched a focus group that could keep the project alive.
Council chiefs did however accept that the sculpture would not be sited at the Friar’s Shott site currently proposed.
A total of 445 people took part in a recent two-month public consultation, with 304 making suggestions on the riverside arts initiative.
Of those, 41 responses were positive, 219 negative and 44 neutral. The positive responses highlighted bold design, location and potential regeneration of the city centre.
The negative feedback predominately focussed on the so-called Gathering Place proposal, which would include the tilting pier exhibit.
More than 150 people thought there was a better use of public money, 35 cited health and safety issues, 57 questioned the design and 17 were concerned about the location.
Yesterday, Highland Council’s five-member Inverness City Arts (ICarts) working group debated two options – to either axe the tilting pier proposal but press on with the Gathering Place idea, or retain both for now while considering alternative venues.
No other venue has been seriously considered, although there has been speculation about a site near the cathedral.
Speaking exclusively to the Press and Journal, group chairman Ken Gowans said: “We’ve listened to public opinion. The people have spoken and made it very clear they do not wish this project to go ahead at Friar’s Shott, so I can give them that assurance that it’s not going to happen there.
“There was an option to end it the project there and look for alternatives. However, it was felt in order to fully conclude the process before we make a final determination that we should set up a short term focus group that will perhaps meet once to look at the feasibility of this particular project in terms of its site and whether any design element needs to be adjusted to make it more attractive.”
The working group agreed to proceed with all the other proposed artworks – a “sculptural destination,” relaxation areas, a trail linking the Ness Islands and the river mouth, seating areas with poetry set into stones, and a children’s riverside water feature.
But last night Inverness South councillor Carolyn Caddick questioned if the project should be moving ahead at all.
She said: “It’s the wrong piece, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
“I know half the money is coming from Creative Scotland, but it’s just not a great time to be honest.
“I think it’s very difficult to justify spending taxpayers money, even though I appreciate we’re going to lose the Creative Scotland grant if we walk away.
“I just think it’s the wrong time to be spending money on a piece of public art when we can’t keep our teachers and are cutting back on services. That doesn’t sit right with me.”
The council’s share of the overall bill will be £106,000. The city’s common good fund will contribute £280,750. The rest will come from Creative Scotland (£305,600) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£66,000).
The focus group will comprise Councillors Gowans and Thomas Prag from ICarts, city provost Helen Carmichael, representatives of Inverness Bid, Inverness and Loch Ness Tourism Bid and the Inverness Heritage Trust and artists who are already part of the project.
It will meet shortly and reporting back to ICarts before the summer.
