View sought on Dingwall Business Park works

As part of the pre-planning process, development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is holding a public event running from 4-7pm on Wednesday 14 December at 9 Fodderty Way, Dingwall Business Park.

Anyone with an interest in the project can come along to find out more, question the design team and comment on the plans before they are finalised.

HIE is one of many organisations that own land at the park, which includes a flood bund. To enable new development at the business park, improvements to the bund are required to meet higher present-day standards. The works are still subject to funding being secured from parties with an interest in the site.

Dingwall Business Park, which lies on the River Peffery Flood Plain, currently hosts a variety of units, including offices, a nursery and industrial units.

Should the application be approved and sufficient funding secured, the vision is to upgrade the flood embankment around the park to promote future development of existing and new businesses, increasing economic and employment opportunities in the area.

James Gibbs, HIE area manager, said: “We have been working with SEPA and the Highland Council and have approached all the owners within the business park, as we consider potential options.

“This event is one of two consultations prior to submitting a planning application to obtain permission for the proposal. It will inform landowners, businesses and the local community why the work is required, what the options could be and the project’s next steps. For new development to progress at the business park, it is necessary for the improvements to be made.”

Following a competitive tender, JBA Consulting was recently appointed by HIE to design a flood defence that will enable the Highland Council and SEPA to support planning applications for new development within the business park. The flood defence must be constructed and maintained to a recognised standard so that it can be adopted by the Highland Council and be recognised by SEPA as a formal Flood Protection Works.