Almost 7,000 shrubs and trees die in Inverness park

Contractors are having to return to replace the plants that perished at Inshes District Park in the Highland capital. The new 72-acre green area was officially opened to a fanfare in August with the help of 700 pupils from a nearby primary school. The first phase of the park, costing £620,000, involved planting nearly 8,000 shrubs and trees. Contractors also laid 5,000ft of new paths and made parking for up to 33 vehicles. But the vast majority of the plants – 6,934 in total – have failed to survive. The list of casualties includes hawthorn, holly and flowering currant. Councillor Ken Gowans said: “It was really disappointing to find most of the plants had died. We don’t exactly know what happened. There is a possibility the contractors took delivery of a bad stock. “It could be down to a number of factors. The plants may have come from somewhere that was warmer, and weren’t able to survive the conditions here.” However, he said the cost of replanting, expected to be several thousands of pounds, is to be met by the contractors, not the taxpayer. Under the terms of the contract, the dead plants will have to be replaced by more mature specimens. Mr Gowans added: “It is quite amazing that almost 7,000 trees and shrubs were affected. We don’t think you can blame the weather totally, as plant life has continued to survive elsewhere in the Highlands. “It may have just been a poor batch of plants. “The important factor here is the park is still a lovely location which will be enjoyed by generations. It is the first new park in Inverness for many decades. It is just important now to get it established.” He said: “It reaffirms the SNP-led administration’s commitment to provide green space and enhance the amenity and quality of life to residents.” Colin Howell, Highland Council’s project manager, said: “We can’t understand what happened. The park looks lovely with the exception of the plants, which have not taken, and that is unfortunate.” Aberdeen-based Hunter Construction carried out the civil engineering work for the park, but sub-contracted the planting work to a landscape firm. Hunter Construction director Bill Shepherd said: “Some of the plants did not thrive and our sub-contractors are carrying out their obligations in replacing them.” The replanting has just begun and is expected to take three weeks. When completed, the district park, to be developed in three phases, will cover 72 acres. Funding comes from the various developers of housing in the area and also Highland Council’s Landfill Communities Fund. When the park was opened by Inverness provost Alex Graham and pupils from Inshes Primary School, the provost said: “I warmly welcome the creation of this important green open space in a fast-developing area of the city.” Shona Kelly, acting headteacher at Inshes Primary, said: “The park will provide excellent opportunities for outdoor learning and also support activities within our Eco School curriculum.”