The Nairnshire Telegraph is once again full of sensational local news, leading with details of the proposed by-pass route. Rush out and buy one now (a by-pass or a paper please yourself). There's plenty more including Liz blasting her own council again on Nairn care issues plus an editorial about the plan that was discussed last Thursday night. We can't resist quoting a few words to give you a flavour of this week's edition.
...'On the other hand the area is so large one wonders if there is any point in such a plan. If we were to gloss what we heard last Thursday we might describe the structure plan as set out as: all power to the A96 corridor; God save the impoverished North, god help the fragile (mendicant) West, preserve some industry in Easter Ross and to hell with Fort William!'
4 comments:
"On the other hand the area is so large one wonders if there is any point in such a plan. If we were to gloss what we heard last Thursday we might describe the structure plan as set out as: all power to the A96 corridor; God save the impoverished North, god help the fragile (mendicant) West, preserve some industry in Easter Ross and to hell with Fort William!"
Unless I completely misunderstand something the A96 plan is not a grand vision for the A96 corridor that seeks to create completely new planning opportunities, but instead:
- brings existing developments already under planning into a single plan, instead of piecemeal
- so that development planning can run alongside transport and infrastructure planning
- and update the Local Plan for Nairn and Inverness areas to account for these developments in planning, and infrastructure in planning
In that regard, I can't see how on earth it can be claimed that having a Local Plan for the Moray Firth area in some way invalidates further development in Fort William, Wick, or Skye - all of which have their own Local Plans.
The surprise, really, is why on earth the HC showcased the A96 plan around the Highlands, when it is firmly rooted in being a Local Plan? We wouldn't expect to have a direct say in what sort of development occurs in Fort William, Wick, or Skye?
In which case, what on earth is Iain Bain talking about?
- Brian
To be fair to Iain he says quite a lot more in the Editorial, I suppose we all have to make our own minds up on how much we agree with it. I will say one thing however, and that is that Iain, up to now, has been pretty accurate to my mind in identifying and articulating the significant concerns that this community has about Highland Council and the effect their policies are having on Nairn.
I think a lot of folk in Nairnshire might share his views in his latest editorial and they may resonate with those in the other areas of the Highlands he mentions to.
There's quite a bit of overlap between this and the postings on Brian's own blog over at MyNairn - where he comments in similar terms on Iain Bain's editorial.
(blogmeister:can you insert a link?)
I tend to share the Graisg view - that Ian B's analysis is shrewd and perceptive and reflects widely-held local views. Let us hope the Council planners take note of the Nairnie's comments!
As requested by Nairnbairn, quite a long thread at the moment over by.
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