In November 2008 a letter was sent to the Nairnshire Telegraph titled, “Can we have our town back please?” It came at a time when there was growing concern about the activity of planners and developers. A number felt that some bad decisions had been made especially in relation to The Maggott development. Despite all the proper procedures being followed, local people were shocked to discover the size and scale of this development. Quite a few had not until this point realised the importance of the Community Councils and their role in planning issues. While it was too late to do anything about this development, Nairn residents set up the Nairn Residents Concern Group, determined to make sure that further new developments took place only on the basis of partnership and consultation.

This “people movement” perhaps grew out of a presentation to the Nairnshire Partnership which looked ahead to the year 2020. The document tried to envisage Nairn 11 years ahead. It saw the following as a key to progress:
“It was recognised that key to any new development within Nairn would be a commitment to upgrading the appearance of the High St. The local council was urged to engage with Nairn businesses, developers and property owners to deliver a joined-up vision for the town. No longer could property owners sit on their hands while buildings crumbled; no longer would developers set the agenda for change. The expectation was that a new memorandum of understanding would ensure that all stakeholders worked together for the good of the town. Planners would no longer be besieged by developers; developers knew what they had to do within the strategic plan to have the proposals speeded through the planning process. Every developer knew they had to contribute to improving the public realm. Businesses would gain new confidence as they began to feel they had a future and sought the investment they needed to expand.”

In one of the first major encounters with planners and developers in May 2009, residents presented their objections to the scale of the proposed development at Sandown. What began as a modest 140 house development ended up as a 550 house small town on the edge of Nairn. Highland Councillors listened carefully to the arguments and bravely refused the application. It was an outcome few had dared hope for. That said, few are against development as such. All the residents of Nairn want is to be properly consulted to ensure that any development is appropriate, enhances the town and reinforces its character as an idyllic spot on the Moray Coast rather than a suburb of Inverness.

Through this site we wish to present our research on planning issues as a resource that may be of help to others. The site will also become a forum for local engagment and debate. You are welcome to contribute to that debate especially if you are a resident of Nairn, a developer or Highland Councillor.