Revised Cameron Square canopy plans await approval
SHELTERING from the rain in Fort William has been an age-old problem for people in the town but a community group is attempting to make the High Street that bit more appealing in wet weather.
Fort William Town Team (FWTT) has resurrected its ambitions to build a permanent retractable canopy across the busy square to keep shoppers and musicians dry, after members’ original ideas were turned down by the planning department last year.
At a meeting last week, the group revealed that a revised design, which will allow for canopy to be folded away when not in use, have been submitted to Highland Council for approval with a decision expected from planners in the coming weeks.
The permanent ‘goalpost’-shaped structure will be concreted into Cameron Square, from which two folding-arm awnings can be extended out to provide shelter above. The awnings will be retractable, both electrically and manually.
Town team chairwoman Moira Robinson added: ‘It will be opened all the time when it’s got to be used but obviously during the winter when we’re not actually using the square, it will be neatly folded away and retracted.’
If the plans are approved, FWTT will seek funding to pay for the the installation, initial quotes for which were around £19,000 – significantly less than the original plans for a permanent canopy which was quoted at £95,000.
FWTT withdrew its original plans for the High Street canopy last year on the advice of the Highland Council planning department following concerns from business owners who feared it could cause obstructions.
The suggestion was first put forward following the inaugural visit by a cruise liner to Fort William in 2016 after FWTT grew frustrated that one of the only public entertainment spaces that could be used for events in the town was open to the elements and less appealing to passengers.
The proposals have proved popular with music groups in Lochaber, who support the new designs in the hope the new canopy will allow them to perform in public come rain or shine.
Willie Evans, of Glen Mhor Pipe Band, said the design would give a ‘fresh look’ to Cameron Square and the canopy would allow the band to practice outdoors more often.
He said: ‘I think this is a great idea, and one that should give the street a focal point. With the sound of pipes being very susceptible to weather, this would greatly improve our practice or street performance options.’
Moira Robertson, of Lochaber Pipe Band, also said a covered facility in the town centre would be welcomed as they have cancelled a few performances due to bad weather. However, she did raise concerns over whether there would be sufficient cover for spectators.
Regular public performers in any weather, Lochaber Community Wind Band added that the idea was ‘fantastic’ and could become ‘a great asset to the town’.
Lochaber Access Panel also offered its support of the plans, but only as long as ‘the needs of the elderly and disabled members of the public are met’.