Plans for the new Torvean Golf Course are to be submitted by the Highland Council. The proposals are part of a wider initiative to enhance sports facilities in the area.

A planning application in principle was approved in April 2014, but delivery of the project is dependent on the local authority obtaining the statutory consents to build the Inverness West Link road, with funding being approved by the Council at its meeting in March of this year.

The construction of the West Link would involve a reconfiguration of the golf course, and it has been reported that an estimated £1.3m is the minimum needed to relocate the golf holes to enable the building of the road. Further improvements to the course would also be undertaken as part of the plans.

The proposals include locating a new 18-hole golf course in one contained area of land, creating a practice area that would allow the club to expand it to SGU Development Standard status, a new clubhouse, which will accommodate a Junior Room and new maintenance buildings, as well as an access road to service the clubhouse and maintenance building.

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With the relocation, this would free up some of the existing course land to allow for the development of a sports hub. Land to the South of the A82 would also be released for informal public open space and a mixed-use development adjacent to the canal. The Highland Council has said discussions are currently ongoing with Scottish Canals to consider potential opportunities.

If the plans for the new course are approved, it will cost around £7.41m, with works commencing in early 2016.

Hamish Spence, President of Torvean Golf Club, said: "Torvean Golf Club have, for the past two years, been working closely with the Council on this project. We are delighted that it is now taking a major step towards fruition.

"As well as the obvious benefits to our members, the new clubhouse and course will be a major improvement to the existing sporting facilities available to the local community and will provide a massive boost to tourism in the city of Inverness and the wider Highland area."

Councillor Thomas Prag, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, added: "I am delighted with the progress we are making across a number of fronts associated with the Inverness West Link and the associated sports and leisure projects. The plans are ambitious and will deliver substantial long term assets to the city."

(JP/IT)