In this earlier article here we mentioned how the planners
responses to submissions to the local plan will be going forward for approval
by councillors on Wednesday (14th May). After approval by the
Council the local plan (IMFLDP – Inner Moray Firth Local Plan), the blueprint
for the next 20 years of development locally, will go to the Scottish
Government’s Reporters for consideration. You can see the full range of
responses to concerns expressed about proposals for many areas of Nairn here in this document starting on page 360. In this article we examine the response to
concerns over the Showfield.
On the issues raised by residents the planners state: “The
site includes land currently allocated for housing development within the
current Nairnshire Local Plan, although the extent of the site has been
expanded in the Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan. Comments
received have largely been against the potential for developing the site.
Further comments have been received supporting the potential of an excambion
with some of the Sandown land for development of a new showfield and retention
of NA1 as open space.”
Gurnites can see what exactly the area “NA1” of the
Showfield is on page 65 of the original plan document here.
It looks like the
idea of swapping a bit of Sandown for the Showfield might not work however
under the auspices of the current Sandown Development Brief. The planners go on
to say:
“The option to
deliver a new showfield at Sandown has been investigated during the preparation
of the Sandown Development Brief but the adequacy of land available for this
purpose was not clearly identified as being adequate for the Nairnshire Farmers
Society’s requirements for a new larger showfield. There is merit in continuing
to investigate the potential for an arrangement of this nature between the
common good fund and the farmers society. In regard to the issue raised on a
restriction to title to prevent development on the site, the Council have
contacted the Nairn Farmers Society and they indicated that they are not aware
of any such restriction.”
It looks like partial development of the Showfield is still
very much a consideration for the Council:
“Some comments received to the proposal had generally agreed
that a lesser proportion of development would be acceptable subject to a
purposeful area of land being retained as open space. This area would have to
host a new football pitch and general open space, the provision of which would
be a requirement for the developer of the rest of the site. The Council
considers that the remainder of the showfield site can still adequately serve
both formal and informal recreation needs. The introduction of a requirement
for a formal Section 75 agreement for a developer to provide enhancement to the
remainder of the showfield may be appropriate.”
Traffic concerns get a small mention: “Traffic issues have
also been raised as a concern regarding the development of the land with
limited capacity to improve the junction of Lodgehill and Waverley Roads, more broadly
there is capacity within the boundary of the site and the wider showfield to
make improvements to pedestrian and cycle access.”
And again the council leaning towards development on the
Showfield site: “As the potential for a successful excambion of land is not
known at this point and that the Farmers Society are seeking development value
to facilitate the delivery of a new showfield. It is considered therefore the
allocation is retained in the Plan as having development potential for housing
subject to the provision of a relocated playing field and landscaping of the
remainder of the showfield. The potential for an excambion with land at Sandown
should also continue to be investigated.”
Gurnites can see the response to submissions received over
the Showfield here (p366) and other
responses from the planners concerning
areas of Nairn that are going forward for recommendation by Councillors next
week starting here (p360)
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