Inverness’ popular Ironworks venue is safe – for now – after councillors delayed the hotel decision on a knife-edge vote.
Bricks Capital wants to demolish the Ironworks building and create a brand new, £30 million Courtyard by Marriott hotel on the site.
The controversial proposal attracted complaints from local residents, with some writing directly to councillors on the eve of the crunch planning meeting.
What followed next was chaotic. Not a single councillor spoke in favour of the application. Many branded it a “Lego design” that would “stick out like a sore thumb”.
Yet when it came to a straight approve or refuse vote, the majority voted to grant permission.
That decision was then tested against a motion to defer the decision completely, which won 11-3.
So the fate of the 155-bed hotel – and Inverness Ironworks – was left in limbo.
The Ironworks operators said later it is “business as usual” until they are told otherwise.
The Ironworks: the story so far
In December 2020, south planning committee unanimously rejected Bricks Capital’s hotel application, calling it “monolithic” and “devoid of architectural quality”.
However, the developer went back to the drawing board and won over council planners with an entirely new set of designs. The new look also found favour with the Inverness Design Panel, made up of local professionals.
Even Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the designs.
But councillors remained unconvinced at Thursday’s meeting.
Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie called the hotel “too large, too high and sticking out like a sore thumb”.
Ms Mackenzie said it would tower over the skyline, and leave the city with “more concrete and more cement”.
‘Designed in the Soviet era, with a box of Lego’
Other members asked about the logistics, such as bin collection and car parking.
Councillor Michael Cameron referenced concerns from the council’s transport planning team regarding servicing arrangements. Officers told Mr Cameron the developer has since agreed to do all the servicing from the back entrance on Manse Place instead of Rose Street.
Mr Cameron said this was “new information” that should have been included in the committee report. At this point, he proposed to defer a decision until members had time to reconsider.
Other members in the chamber raised concerns about bin collection, car parking and traffic congestion.
However, the overriding concern was the design of the building itself.
Other hotel plans in the city have in recent years caused debate because of their designs.
Councillor Bill Lobban demanded: “How many times must we consider hotel applications that look like they’ve been designed in the Soviet era with a box of Lego?”
Councillors Laurie Fraser, Ken Gowans and Andrew Mackintosh all said the development doesn’t suit the city.
Chairman Thomas MacLennan – newly elected this morning – reminded members that design is subjective. He added that this is the second set of plans to come to committee, and they are recommended for approval.
The Ironworks itself didn’t feature heavily in the debate, because planners emphasised that this was a “commercial matter” outwith the remit of the council.
A complicated vote
With Mr Cameron’s amendment on the table, the chairman suggested the committee move to vote.
Laurie Fraser intercepted, arguing that a decision should be made today. After a short break, Mr Fraser and Ms Mackenzie returned with an amendment to reject the application.
Their amendment stated that the hotel would compromise the history and culture of the conservation area. It represented an “over-development” of the site, and would have an “unacceptable impact” on the city.
Cue another attempt to vote, and this time it was Mr Lobban who interrupted.
Despite his earlier criticisms, Mr Lobban asked the chairman if there was to be no amendment in support of the development.
Mr MacLennan agreed to table an amendment to grant planning permission, calling it the “ultimate test”.
Surprisingly, given the tone of the debate, members voted 7-6 to approve the application.
However, according to council procedures the winning amendment then goes up against the motion. Asked to vote to approve or defer, councillors voted 11-3 to defer.
This means no decision will be made today. The hotel will have another lengthy wait, and the fate of the Ironworks still hangs in the balance.
Open for business
Ironworks’ venue director Caroline Campbell said: “We remain very much open for business as usual until we are advised otherwise and have some fantastic programming in the coming months.
“So, we look forward to seeing audiences continue to visit us on Academy Street.
“We will continue to promote and deliver our upcoming events with tickets remaining valid and fully protected, so please continue to book.
“We’d like to sincerely thank our customers, staff, performers, suppliers and industry partners for all their support at this time and for helping us create something we should all be incredibly proud of.”
A spokesman for Bricks Group said: “We’re naturally disappointed that the application recommended by council officials has been deferred, but we’ll be happy to liaise on any queries members may have.
“This is a £30 million inward investment, the biggest on the horizon for the city centre, with 100 construction jobs and 65 permanent ones, so it could be beneficial to Inverness’s post-pandemic future.
“We look forward to engaging with the council in the hope of securing a positive decision in due course.”
Over its 14 years the Ironworks has hosted acts including Kasabian, Runrig, Van Morrison, Babyshambles, and Biffy Clyro.
The Ironworks emerged from discussions following Inverness being made a city in 2000.
It was felt it needed a dedicated live music venue similar to those in other Scottish cities.
Remembering some great acts at the Ironworks
Are you interested in more exclusive and breaking Highland and Islands news from the P&J? If so, why not join our dedicated Facebook page HERE
Conversation