Can you identify this Highland location?
September 1st, 2010 | 
Author: It was described by Urban Realm, the organisers of the annual Carbuncle Awards, previously awarded to such places as Cumbernauld and Coatbridge.
“xxxx …. which could be one of the most beautiful places in the Highlands, is all too often a depressing place… no passion has gone into the development or upkeep… development and progress has gone hand in hand with drive in retail, business parks and disjointed housing developments. Far from focusing on its unique Highland identity, an identikit sprawl of nowhere spaces are being built”.
No don’t worry, for a moment I thought this was describing Nairn, but it is in fact Inverness on the shortlist for winning the Award. So that’s OK then!
more ad hoc planning
Plots wanted
You may have thought that the previous post was simply a swipe at developers. Well now it’s obvious that they are the primary force in changing our way of life. It may come within the Local Development Plan but it’s certainly got nothing to do with the type of town or environment we might prefer to live in. “If you have a spare plot let us buy it and build on it.” Very short-sighted, but if you have patio you no longer need perhaps this is your chance to live next to a 3-storey apartment block.
New flats at Lodgehill?
Proposals have been put forward for demolition of the vacated GP surgery and the erection of a 11 no. unit flatted residential development. Obviously a three-storey development has caused some consternation among local residents. More details on the Highland Council web site
New dangers on nairn’s beaches?
While recognising that the land reform legislation has changed, it is worrying that we or our children can’t go onto the Central Beach without a lingering worry that we’ll be set upon by an unruly dog. Or just as bad, step on something as we make our way along the paths to the beach.
Sandown – More deals behind closed doors?
We have been advised that the Sandown Lands are up for sale – check this link on the Scottish property web site.
This has prompted some strong comment from Loreine Thomson of the Nairn Residents Concern Group in the form of a couple of emails to Mr Black.
Latest: See this update: http://www.gurnnurn.com/2010/06/sandown-not-for-sale-says-sandy.html. It appears that this is an old for sale notice still marked as “Under Offer” despite additions and updates dated June 2010. How confusing.
But the big issue remains. How can the terms of an recorded agreement suddenly change with no record of a Council meeting to approve the substantive change. No wonder suspicions have been roused. Even if Deveron do still have first call on the land, they are still obliged to consult the community – unless the old agreement really has been torn up and quietly replaced.
More Madness on The Brae
Brae "crossing"
You’ll recall that before the work on The Brae was started there were numerous concerns expressed about the road layout, kerbs, parking and above all general safety. One clear indication of nonsense in planning was the fact that the traffic calming strip was generally regarded as a crossing particularly as there was a gap in the railings and a dropped kerb. Complete and utter madness. It would seem that this view is now recognised as mad by the powers-that-be as this “crossing” has now been chained off.
A Single Community Council?
Do Nairn a favour – send a quick e-mail!
If you agree that Nairn should be represented by a single Community Council – ie. A Royal Burgh of Nairn Council then send a quick e-mail saying so to this address:
That’s the address of the Highland Council review team. If you’d like to send a letter or print off copies for others then there’s a PDF document here that will do the job.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/narann/singlecomc.pdf
More Concerns About Nairn Academy
From a concerned parent:
The recent HMIe report on Nairn Academy provided some positive reading.
But it is regrettable that there has been no public comment thus far on the failures in the English Department.
Surely this is a matter that our elected members, who have offered no public comment on this matter so far, must now address. Read full article »
Nairn Swimming Pool – a Distraction?
The review of swimming pools in the Highlands with the potential for closure has focussed the minds and the activities of the community in Nairn. They are rightly concerned about the loss of local facilities as demonstrated by the Facebook campaign and the proliferation of protest letters. But are we being conned? Read full article »
A single community council
NairnBairn makes a compelling case for a single community council on the Highland Council web site.
A single community council for Nairn is both logical and necessary: the review team should assess the arguments, not duck the issue.
Nairn town is an identifiable, single, coherent community. It has always been a single “burgh”. The case for a single unified Community Council is compelling.
More details here – and add your own comments