A possible Kingsteps compromise that could benefit charity plus response from Alexander Brodie

Local resident Daniel offers a possible solution that might be away out of the Kingsteps stand-off between Brodie of Brodie and Highland Council.

UPDATE - Daniel's idea has received a response from Alexander Brodie which is now posted on this article below the original contribution.

Good morning,

I have been reading with interest the raging debate regarding the gate at the entrance to the lane leading to Kingsteps car park. Reading the latest article, it appears that Alexander Brodie is going to put up the gate, regardless of what the Highland Council etc say and is prepared to challenge them legally. I have an idea that I have not seen mentioned anywhere else, but its relatively simple. Its a "compromise on both sides and meet in the middle" solution.

Keep the gate closed Monday - Friday.

Open the gate Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 8am-6pm (4pm in the darker months) and charge £2.50 to park. The proceeds goto charity.

Benefits
People can then choose whether or not they still wish to park there or not at weekends (which are the busiest times anyway) 

Boy racing will come to an end, as they only seem to come out at night.

Residents would have a much quieter life.

Walkers / Cyclists etc would have access all week. Would also be safer for them Mon-Fri as no vehicles.

 Charity would benefit financially

Obviously this is just an idea, but it might be a good starting point for the 2 parties to discuss?

Yours Sincerely

Daniel (Nairn Resident)

Many thanks for that olive branch Daniel.

Yes, I was looking for a compromise in the meeting of the 13th, however, the councils threatening legal letter just before put a stoke in the works. The Council informed me that if I put a gate up they would take me to court. The problem here was that all compromise involved putting up a gate and discussing how is was used. The way I saw it was that the Council would not compromise. We will see where the council position takes us, but for now I see no reason that prevents me from bypassing council and councillors (and their ultimatum), talk directly to the users.

Important  point, I will not agree to a compromised without first consulting the residents. They must agree.

Non-negotiable point: the gate is to be closed at night.

First  point of note, I have already made an offer at the meeting of the 13th. One of the issues I discussed at the meeting was that I noticed that dog users are being moved on from Nairn centre and beach with threatening signposts as far as East Beach warning of serious fines. I have had many dogs in my life and fully understand that they need a good run and to be let off the lead. Dog owners need a place to go. According, I offered, the use of Kingsteps wood. Dogs are permitted off the lead (as long as they are not vicious etc., common sense need apply) and dog poo that is not on pathways need not be picked up (the way I see it is that it is compost for the trees, I also have a greater problem with  forgotten poo bags). The part I own of Kingsteps woods is the area where the trees’ lower branches are not cut. This suits me as it keeps the dogs off the beach away from the wildlife and ecosystem of the sands.

The problem I have with charging is that I find it abnormal and wrong that the Forestry Commission charge. It puts me in a moral dilemma: I disagree and disapprove that the Forestry Commission charge, so doing the same seems apocryphal. If all agree to this I would comply, proceeds going to a nature type charity. However, I would not want to police it.

The idea I was thinking along for the meeting was to have about 3 days a week open, 4 days closed, closed at night. Open special holidays. This is for vehicles. Walkers, riders and cyclists are always allowed 24/7. No vehicle access for hunting; the wildfowlers seem to have the law on their side for walking, so walk they can. I think I still have a right to stop them driving across my land.

Alexander B