Stakeholders in a proposed new court complex for Inverness have voiced mixed opinions on the latest designs for the project.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) re-submitted “improved” plans for the £23million complex, which would the first of its kind in Scotland. The distinctive V-shape of the previous plan has been ditched in favour of a single linear building which they say has a “much stronger design.”
And yesterday, members of the public were given the chance to view the fresh designs during an exhibition at the city’s Royal Highland Hotel.
Duncan Henderson, a solicitor in the city’s existing Sheriff Court in Inverness Castle, said he still has “grave misgivings” over the plans, adding: “The witnesses and the accused are going to have to travel through the same underpass (below the A82 road) to get to court, unless you want to risk the road. I don’t think it will be safe to come to court as a witness.”
Mr Henderson also raised concerns about the potential noise disruption resulting from the future demolition of the neighbouring, vacant Inverness College building.
And he branded “inadequate” the space for agents and the number of cells, as there are only four compared to the current six, adding: “It’s been done in a hurry and on the cheap and, I think from an agent’s point of view our facilities will be worse.”
But the project’s construction manager, Fergus Taylor, said: “It’s currently the same situation with steps going up to the castle and potential to meet people at the front door of the castle.”
He added that there will be a physical walkway between the justice centre and police station which has many more cells, if needed.
And Vincent Guz, Scottish Court and Tribunal Service’s head of service development, said the demolition work could happen before the new court complex opens in 2019.
Elaine Fetherston, executive manager for Inverness Women’s Aid, said she was “very happy” with the re-submitted plans, adding: “I am interested in provision for domestic abuse. It seems very well designed, and there is very good provision through a dedicated room for our staff and for clients before cases.”
She added that Women’s Aid groups from Inverness, Ross-shire, Lochaber and Caithness will make use of the faiclity.
Mr Guz also stressed that the main benefit of the new court complex will be the ability to work closely with other justice partners in the same facility.
