No surprises there. The development was enshrined in the new Inner Moray Firth Local development plan and although there were considerable local concerns expressed in objections and presentations by local members it seems that none of these concerns were ever going to be enough to have the proposal rejected on competent planning grounds. What might seem sensible to folk in Nairn is seen differently when it comes to official chapter and verse on the way things are meant to be. There are a massive amount of conditions imposed on the plan however and much of the debate concentrated around clarification of points in these conditions and how they could be best implemented or amended to the benefit of the community.
It goes through but with a pause and review clause after the first 100 houses have been built and the phases will be subject to local community liaison being set up that would include local members and the relevant community councils. Despite this this observer would suggest that there will be many that will feel a sour taste in the mouth as Glenurquhart Road once again imposes its will on Nairn's future.
Above an image of Michael Green as seen on the webcast this lunchtime. He spoke extensively of local concerns including traffic and to this end in reference to the jams he said: "Nairn is the new Fochabers." More from this meeting later on the Gurn if time permits.
I must be very naive but having just sat through the webcast I am at a loss as to what actually happened at the end. After all the discussion and clarifications it came down to a bit of mumbling between the Chairman and the woman sitting on his right, then someone asked for a comfort break and they all toddled off to the toilet. OK, I thought to myself, there'll be a vote when they come back but, when they did all return to their seats, they promptly started speaking about something else.
ReplyDeleteWas that it? When was the actual decision made, before, during or after?
Does any of the local councellors or them that work in the town offices ever stand up for Nairn against BIG BROTHER INVERNESS or are they scared for there jobs if they speak out.
ReplyDelete@greenleaf - don't knock the staff, like many jobs they just have to get on with it and obey the system regardless of their personal preferences.
ReplyDeleteCouncillors? well, there are differing views on that. Don't forget there was probably no way that a motion against this development would have succeeded on the strength of the material contained in the objections. Competent evidence that would have contradicted experts would have been needed.
I to watched the webcast and could see that because of the local plan it was going to happen anyway. When they start construction will the traffic lights be the first thing done! and the crossing over the rail line the last. will central government really be bothered about how quickly new developments being requested, planned and built to think that the bypass is a priority? I think not.
ReplyDeleteWhere were NICE when we need them?
ReplyDeleteOn the bypass there is one thing that worries this observer and that is that there is no guarantee that any future government in Holyrood will feel bound by the present government's promises.
ReplyDeleteNICE have certainly got some bright sparks and within their 1050 membership base there will be a multi coloured dreamcoat of many talents but this observer is of the opinion that there was no way anything from Nairn would have stopped this application.
ReplyDeleteThe Scottish Government is promising "Community Empowerment and Renewal" in a bill they are drafting. If we ever reach the point where decisions like the one taken in Glenurquhart Road today are taken in the Court House in Nairn by a democratically elected Nairnshire District Council then that concept will have truly worked until then it looks like business as usual.
It would be interesting to hear from our councillors as to what they indivually made of this application.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if times have changed and they no longer greet each and every potential with open arms no matter how dreadful their development. The money is still needed but have councillors changed their tune any?
Can anybody please explain to me why not all of the Local Councillors from Nairn did not turn up to this planning development at Nairn-South-Balblair, and at Glenurquhart Road Inverness, today Monday 19th August 2013. I feel very dissapointed that i as a objector to this large scale development and who wrote to the local Councillors regarding my complaint asking them to support my complaint didnt even bother. I feel very dissapointed and angry and somewhat let down as i gave my time to vote for them. I now know where i stand.
ReplyDeleteIt was yesterday the 20th anon.
ReplyDeleteSorry what i ment was Tuesday 20th August 2013. Well done to Michael Green, for standing up for himself and putting over his concerns and representing himself and for the people of Nairn that he has supported and Colin Macaulay for attending at least they got of the back sides a lot more than others well done to you both. I feel so very dissapointed and let down by the local Councillors in not giving there support or effort as i stated earlier on in my complaint to the Gurn.
ReplyDeleteLaurie spoke also and Colin at the beginning and this should be up on the webcast recording by now on the Highland Council site. Well worth watching the webcast from 18.31
ReplyDeletehttp://www.highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/107823