One of the Highland Capital’s most popular beauty spots is at risk of severe flooding and regular closure because the council has to consider the economic benefit for building flood defences to protect it.

The local authority has been forced to stop the public using it on several occasions due to flooding and in 2014 had to postpone its popular Halloween celebrations on Ness Islands because it was water-logged again.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart asked Highland Council if it had plans to protect the Ness Islands area of Inverness after some constituents approached him about its regular closure due to flooding.

However, the council has now admitted that, because the area does not include any housing, businesses or “notable infrastructure”, there would be no economic benefit to a flood defence for the Islands.

Mr Stewart says with climate change, and the increased regularity of severe storms, Ness Islands would be flooded and closed on many more occasions.

“The question has to be asked, will it be eroded and damaged and disappear for future generations if we don’t plan to take more long-term take action now?” says Mr Stewart.

Sign his petition now to ask Highland Council to review the situation with Ness Islands to see what options could help preserve it for the future