The Highland Council has approved plans for the reconfigured and enhanced rugby sports facility at Canal Parks, Inverness.

The application forms part of the delivery of the West Link road and enhanced sports and recreational facilities, which was given the green light last week following the completion of a the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).

The development will include the formation of an all-weather rugby pitch and repositioning of two re-graded grass pitches, with pitch lighting. The old clubhouse will be replaced by a new community clubhouse with a large carpark and a footpath from Whin Park to the Caledonian Canal. The pitches will be fenced, so as to allow dog walking around the site, but prevent fouling on the pitches.

Access to the site will be from Bught Road.

Councillors approved the plans and agreed that there should be high quality landscaping and the potential for public art incorporated into the development.

Chair of the planning, development and infrastructure committee, Cllr Audrey Sinclair, welcomed the approval of the plans: “The major enhancement to the pitch, clubhouse and changing facilities will be a valuable asset for the wider community of Inverness. The synthetic pitch will provide an excellent new surface for rugby, with the added bonus of being available for community use for sports such as football, shinty, hockey and American football.”