TOWN CENTRE IDEAS BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE:
Design discussions, and longer-term thinking
It has been a busy week for those interested in the future of Nairn and the site in the centre of town.
- Nairn in 3D – the design workshop
A design workshop, organised by Highland Council in response to requests from local residents, took place at the Courthouse on Monday 22 November. William Gilfillan the Corporate Manager, who chaired the meeting, reminded those present that the exercise was to focus on the site owned by the Council and the adjacent Co-op property. The Council’s intention remained to prepare a revised development brief for submission to the PED Committee in February 2011. The workshop was introduced and organised by architects from the Inverness firm Thomas Munro. With the elected councillors for Nairn looking on, participants set out ideas and suggestions on working copies of the site-plans. These were then projected on to a 3-dimensional display screen. This prompted lively discussion about the size and location of new buildings, the extent of the public amenity space, how to take account of the vistas towards Viewfield and the Courthouse, and the possible uses of the Regal Bar site – either for a new landmark building or for a feature such as a statue. The outcome reflected many of the ideas set out in the initial plans drawn up by the NICE working group. The Council’s revised development brief will be presented to a Nairn Ward Forum on 26 January. Continue reading