Battery Project - Chairman's Statement

[bdu98196]

As we head to the end of the season, if only we had an alternate income stream to use the facilities during the summer. If only someone had thought of a concert venue for some 'has-been' artists appealing to boomers.........

[Robert]

8 hours ago, DoofersDad said:

I assume our Chairman has been quoted correctly in his letter to sponsors, otherwise the club would probably have issued a correction of some form.  What I find really disappointing is that he again makes the argument that permission should be given because the club is making such a positive use use of green space elsewhere in the City.  He was rightly criticised on this point by several Councillors at the planning meeting and yet he keeps banging on about it.  He just doesn't seem to understand the basic fact that those making the decision on a planning application need to be seen to base their decision on matters pertaining directly to the application.  Getting in a public huff about the fact that elected Councillors and Council Officials have not allowed other matters to be a factor in the decision, only further sours the relationship between Club and Council.  It is, frankly, naive and embarrassing.  The relevant and much stronger "green space" argument is that the proposal contains a commitment to plant a variety of trees and shrubs on the site which will increase both the biodiversity and the carbon capture potential of the site.

I'm afraid I don't have a lot of confidence that the decision will be reversed.  I also think it would be prudent to plan on the basis that it won't go through.  If I was a sponsor I would not be paying my sponsorship early, I would want to be holding back and seeing what the promised financial restructuring involved.

 

This is the wording of the Chairman’s letter to sponsors, with contact details removed:

I am writing to you today, firstly to thank you for your backing of our football club, and secondly to appeal to you to kindly continue that support. 

As I am sure you are aware, we have recently and very disappointingly, had planning refused by Highland Council for the installation of a 4 acre battery energy storage farm on the site of the former Fairways Golf Course, the reason given was due to loss of green space in a private green space area of 200 acres.  This is despite the fact that one of our many important and impactful Caley Thistle community projects involves the complete resurrection of a significantly larger green space adjacent to Inverness Royal Academy, which is a ten acre site that will be used as a community hub for the city and beyond, promoting physical and mental health wellbeing for thousands of people both young and old in the Highlands.

Our quest to seek planning permission for the battery farm has now been escalated to Scottish Government level and it is our strong expectation that the Highland Council’s decision will be overturned on appeal but this will take a number of months.

What this means is that we face significant pressure on our cash flow.

To that end, I am writing to all our sponsors to ask if you would be able to help us through this situation by renewing your advertising with us slightly earlier than normal.  If you are able to renew by return, it would be hugely appreciated by everyone at ICTFC and will not only help the club continue in our current form, but it will also allow us to continue the great work we do in the city and beyond, especially as we enter our 30th anniversary. 

If you can help us, we would be able to thank you for that support by offering a 15% discount on last season’s price for an early renewal.

If you can help, please contact our Commercial Director Keith Haggart, either on his email address of ——- or by mobile ——-. 

Finally, as ever, on behalf of myself, the Board of Directors and Executive team, it is a privilege to serve our football club and we thank you for being a part of the club which has represented the city so well in the last 30 years.

[STFU]

The 'help the club continue in its current form' is the most worrying part of that letter.

[Robert]

On 4/24/2024 at 5:30 PM, STFU said:

The 'help the club continue in its current form' is the most worrying part of that letter.

That’s a very fair comment.

It highlights why getting involved with the Supporters Trust is important for everyone who cares about the club.

The Trust has made it clear that it won’t invest in shares without commitments from the club, and the commitments sought will have to reflect the views of its members.

I know some are sceptical but, I’m my opinion, the recent growth in membership if the Trust and the resulting influence it can bring to bear can only be positive. 

[STFU]

Plans for a battery storage facility at Essich.  Blows a bit of a hole in the argument that Fairways was the only site available locally where they could get access to the grid.

[Yngwie]

It was at Fairways because that’s where the club were offered land for little or no cost, as well as it having access to the grid.

[+Fraz]

3 hours ago, STFU said:

Plans for a battery storage facility at Essich.  Blows a bit of a hole in the argument that Fairways was the only site available locally where they could get access to the grid.

I don't think they ever suggested it was the only place in existence with a connection to the grid. Just the only one that ICT could make use of. 

Interesting to hear the HC response to the one in Essich as it is 4 times the size of the Fairways one. I expect that the loss of green space in this case will be unconscionable. 

[IBM]

41 minutes ago, Fraz said:

I don't think they ever suggested it was the only place in existence with a connection to the grid. Just the only one that ICT could make use of. 

Interesting to hear the HC response to the one in Essich as it is 4 times the size of the Fairways one. I expect that the loss of green space in this case will be unconscionable. 

Good arable farmland might not be as important than green space for walking dogs or sledging 

[Jack Waddington]

Richest club in League One allez allez