Your Local Place Plan consultation has been on the road since 4th March, and will finish its Road Show on 27th March. If you can’t get along, if you’ve had more thoughts, if you’d like to take part online instead of in person…our Survey is Live!
Our survey might take you a few minutes, or, you might want to spend some time on it. You can, if you have a Google account, save progress and come back to it later. If you have something that doesn’t quite fit the form, you can still email that in to lpp@nicenairn.org.uk, or visit us on a Thursday in the Nairn Community & Arts Centre.
Don’t forget, this is your chance to make a difference for the future of Nairn and Nairnshire. Your Local Place Plan will help to guide the physical development of Nairn for the next 10 years or more.
The last few weeks have been busy for the Local Place Plan team.
We have been working on our Road Show programme of dates and getting those out to you in our latest mail drop. This has started arriving through your door from Monday 19th February.
Last week, on Tuesday 13th, we presented to key Highland Council officers who may be instrumental in helping us to finalise the Local Place Plan with key project baselines drawn for a future Community Action Plan. Our team presented to 14 officer’s, from place planning to active travel, as well as key service providers including Highlife Highland.
On Friday 16th, we presented to more than 30 attendees at the Community Partnership meeting held at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre.
This week, we are putting together our media and materials for the Road Show. Our Road Show is a great opportunity for you to help shape the Local Place Plan for Nairnshire, helping us guide future planning and land use. You can attend any of our drop in sessions:
We are still open for your feedback during our open hours, generally Tuesday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm, and Thursday between 9am and 5pm in the Music Room, Nairn Community & Arts Centre. Alternatively, you can email us directly at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk.
Nairn’s Common Good story is well told by ‘A Gurn from Nurn’. There you can read the full story (which was originally researched and written by Nairn West and Suburban Community Council) but, we can take a quick look, with thanks to NWSCC, over how Nairnshire, and the town of Nairn, has been so well provided for:
In 1589, King James VI confirmed Burgh status on Nairn and conferred what we now call the Common Good land, then known as the Commonties, stretching from Tradespark to Kingsteps to the township;
the collection of tolls by the Bailies, which could be used for the benefit of the Burgh, led to the creation of the Common Good Fund, which in 1832 became a stand alone fund. The burgh and councils were free to add to the Common Good lands with further purchases, donations, and investments in land; and
following the 1975 local government organisation, Scottish Burghs were replaced by District and Regional Councils. District Councils were scrapped in 1995. Management and titles of Common Good assets transferred to the Regional Councils, wresting control or decision making from the community
This centralising of control was not unique to Nairn We can see this theme played out amongst all regions of Scotland.
Today, NPF4 and the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 seek to re-establish community direction in planning, giving us all the opportunity to influence the future outcomes of spatial land use in Nairnshire. What does make Nairn so unique is the successful protection of those Common Good lands. Without them, it is hard to imagine what our beach front may look like, what the riverside and river paths may have become, and what would remain of the Viewfield.
Some of those Common Good lands have been leased, such as Sandown, the caravan park, and Nairn Dunbar golf course, whilst others continue to benefit everyone with no cost, such as the Links, Riverside, and Viewfield green spaces.
We would love to know how you see those Common Good assets fitting within a future Nairn.
How would you protect them?
How would you link them with other spaces and routes through Nairnshire?
How would you increase their value to the people of Nairnshire?
Do you think residents of the town should have more say in their management?
The use of spaces, such as the Common Good, and as we looked at last week, those areas zoned for development by the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, are how our Local Place Plan can influence future spatial decision making that will shape Nairnshire for the future.
You can send us your thoughts directly at lpp@nicennairn.org.uk, or by commenting below. We look forward to hearing from you.
We were delighted to welcome 39 guests to our initial Community Group download session, ably hosted by Planning Aid Scotland. Participants covered a wide cross section of Nairnshire, from Nairn Access Panel leading conversation on Getting Around, to representatives from Nairnshire’s farming community. We were pleased to welcome DTAS’ Alice Duthuille, Programme Development Officer, as spectator to proceedings.
Following a brief introduction to the evening from Alastair Noble, LPP Chair, and Iain McPherson, Operations Director for Planning Aid Scotland, Iain put everyone to work in groups formed under our 5 main headings. A collaboration of organisations across Nairnshire took lead roles in the conversation, with each working group reporting back their top 3 points from the night. Participants had the chance to move amongst the groups at a half-time coffee break.
Town Centre: including heritage Conservation and Tourist Welcome
led by Nairn’s BID
“our beach is the town centre”
“regeneration will need a significant financial plan with political cooperation”
“regeneration of derelict/ empty buildings”
Community Amenities: Health, Education, Leisure, and Recreation
led by Nairn Academy’s Deputy Head
“safe travel routes between amenities encouraging seafront sustainability with improved parking”
“sports facilities – can the footprint of the old Nairn Academy be reused for covered sports facilities”
“financing and finance”
Getting Around: sorting traffic jams, safe/ accessible paths, parking and pavements to promote walking and active travel, more convenient buses
led by Nairn Access Panel
“making Nairn accessible for everyone – a safe and accessible route to the beach”
“collaboration/ discussion between groups to ensure plans can be achieved”
“don’t take mobility, or access, for granted”
Employment: more local jobs and space to grow businesses to create them
led by Grigorhill Business leaders and
“young people, and retaining young people, with viable night time economy”
“increased employment and job guidance opportunities in school”
“town centre regeneration to increase jobs and interest”
Our Environment: protecting the natural environment, green spaces
led by LPP volunteers
“management group for common good”
“a high quality green environment is good for mental health”
“wealth of green space represented by Common Good assets may provide opportunities for leisure, recreation, and the attractiveness of Nairn as a destination”
Local Development Plan and General
led by LPP and NICE volunteers
“joined up and integrated way of working together”
“new plans to retrofit and re-purpose, not simply build new”
“allocation of space for housing and business”
“control of developer obligations”
The main highlights of the night’s discussion were summarised by Iain McPherson:
derelict and empty buildings should have a priority to retrofit/ re-use to create a vibrant town centre;
Nairnshire’s beach front and Common Good Assets to be managed as a unified and accessible block; and
community ownership, giving influence and control, achieved through political cohesion across Nairnshire
As we develop the Local Place Plan for Nairnshire, we are obliged to respond and refer to the Local Development Plan: Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, Plan as Submitted to Scottish Ministers for consultation, 25th March 2023
References herein, and within the links hereto, refer to this publication.
Nairn is classified as a Tier 1 settlement, with a Strategic Scale of Growth, with a Most Sustainable status, amongst other Tier 1 settlements, such as Inverness, Alness, Beauty, Dingwall, and others.
There are 7 distinct land allocations made for Nairn within IMFLDP2. These are:
Croy is classified as a Tier 3 settlement, with a Local Scale of Growth and a Partially Sustainable status amongst other Tier 3 settlements, such as Auldearn, Avoch, Strathpeffer, and others.
Within Croy, there are 2 distinct land allocations. These are:
Cawdor is identified as a growing settlement within the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2. This is classified for “”Infill” only”, “Bolstering the smallest established rural communities”. Reference Table 2 Settlement Hierarchy, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, published for consultation 25th March 2023. You can find out more here:
Audlearn is classified as a Tier 3 settlement, with a Local Scale of Growth and a Partially Sustainable status amongst other Tier 3 settlements, such as Croy, Fortrose, Tomatin, and others.
Within Auldearn, there is a single land allocation made:
Each of the above Land Allocations are clickable links to individual summaries.
Your Thoughts
The success of the Nairnshire Local Place Plan is entirely based on our collective wants and ambitions for Nairnshire over the next 10 years and beyond. Without your input, the Nairnshire Local Place Plan and the wider Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan will fail to deliver the Nairnshire that the community wants.
Don’t miss your opportunity to contribute. You can contact us directly at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk, or leave your comments below.
Figure 1: Map 49 Cawdor, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 350, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
Cawdor is identified in the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2 as a Growing Settlement. It is addressed at Placemaking Priorities 39. Future development of Cawdor is embraced where this achieves small scale infill and rounding off, and of redevelopment of brownfield sites with no heritage value. Considerations and limitations are to avoid areas at risk of flooding from the Cawdor Burn, whilst preserving and enhancing woodland and watercourses whilst delivering and enhancing active travel use, connections, and biodiversity including the A96 Landward Trail. Reference Placemaking Priorities 30 Cawdor, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 350, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
What would you like to see for a future Cawdor? Is sensitive infill and rounding out development what you see for a sustainable, green, Cawdor?
Perhaps you would like to see a more ambitious plan for Cawdor, where jobs and homes are created to retain skills and young families in the area?
Maybe you feel that an area of land around Cawdor should be protected and developed as a re-wilding, fostering woodlands of historic types and the natural environment, reducing flood risk and increasing biodiversity around the settlement?
However you see the future of Cawdor, we would love to see your plans to help create a comprehensive Nairnshire Local Place Plan. You can contact us at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk or by leaving your comments below.
Figure 1: Map 12, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 129, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
The area of land identified in CR02 is 6.4ha or thereby, and allocated for Housing, Community, and Business with an indicative capacity of 50 housing units. Reference CR02: North West of Primary School, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 130, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
This area to the North West of the Primary School is obligated to ensure that there is no adverse effect on Loch Flemington, whilst giving consideration to transport, road networks, and the potential of creating a community and/or small scale commercial space.
How would you envisage this corner of Croy being developed to the best benefit of the community? Would you continue with a housing theme, mixed with a wooded edge to soften the town boundary, with a path network to link to Loch Flemington, the school, and the village centre?
Do you see a focus on a commercial and community hub, with housing dispersed around this central focus on creating employment, a sustainable local community, and a drive for a digital economy facing the wider global network?
Maybe you think this area should be sensitively developed with minimal intervention to create a re-wilded corner of Croy, with accessible path networks to bring people and nature together in a sustainable and harmonious space?
However you would do it, we need to know to ensure your Local Place Plan is the foundation stone for the future development of Nairnshire. You can contact us at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk, or leave your comments below.
Figure 1: Map 12 Croy, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 129, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
The land allocation CR01: West of Primary School is allocated for housing, over an area circa 5.1ha and with an indicative housing capacity of 50 units. Full planning permission has previously been granted, 17/02509/FUL. Reference CR01: West of Primary School, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
This area of land is generally under construction, sited below the new Milne Avenue access and speed limits on the B9006.
What impacts has the development of CR01 had for you and for Croy? What more needs to be done to ensure that Croy continues to develop and grow in a sustainable, green, and resilient way? Has CR01 added to, or reduced, the quality of your green network and active travel path network to Nairn and Nairnshire, or into Inverness or the Dalcross commercial and industrial areas?
We would love to know what you think, either directly at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk, or leaving your comment below.
Figure 1: Map 31, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 278, issued for consultation 25th March 2023
Nairn NA07: Sawmill Expansion is an industrial zone, comprising 4.8ha or thereby to fully accommodate expansion of the Sawmill. Reference NA07: Sawmill Expansion, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 283, published for consultation 25th March 2023.
Creating this enlarged area for the Sawmill Expansion safeguards and ensures sustainable employment in Nairnshire for the long term. The development of the site does require the assessment of impact upon the road network, and on supporting an “enhancement of active travel connections to the town centre”. Reference NA07: Sawmill Expansion, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, page 283, published 25th March 2023.
Would you do it differently? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts and plans at lpp@nicenairn.org.uk or leave your comment below.