Sticking your oar in at a coffee morning - presentation by Nairn Academy DofE pupils.

Adding the extras to today’s coffee morning with a talk on why they are raising money - they collected an amazing £787.50! #IamDofE #TopEffort pic.twitter.com/2GoUneXXwi

— Nairn Academy DofE (@dofe_nairn) 9 March 2019

Something for Highland pro-nuclear Councillors to read?

Sequoia threatened by Albyn Housing planning application - Highland Council Forestry Officer says " I am not in a position to support the layout as it stands"

The tree under threat from Albyn Housing plans

The Highland Council's South Highland Forestry Officer is one of the consultees on the Albyn Housing planning application that include the felling of a 27m Sequoia on land (as stated in the planning application)  "50M North Of The Hermitage St Olaf Manor Cawdor Road Nairn."  

He quotes the following in his report:

"Policy 51 (Trees and Development) of the Highland wide Local Development Plan states that ‘The Council will support development which promotes significant protection to existing hedges, trees and woodlands on and around development sites. The acceptable developable area of a site is influenced by tree impact, and adequate separation distances will be required between established trees and any new development."  

He then goes on to outline a number of concerns in 12 numbered paragraphs.  On the Sequoia itself he states: "I am very concerned by the proposal to remove this significant tree without sufficient rationale."  

He concludes: "I am concerned by the overall impact of the proposals on this site and the low level of replacement planting.  I am not in a position to support the layout as it stands."

You can read the Forestery Officer's report in full here on the Highland Council e-planning site and also browse all the other submissions and documents related to this application. 

Nairn River Community Council are calling for Albyn housing to alter the plans so the Sequoia stays to be enjoyed byfuture generations. See a previous Gurn article about their comments and what other objectors have to say here. 

Liz proposes Nuclear Free Highlands motion for SNP group but it is defeated as Tom Heggie and other Highland Cllrs vote for Tory pro nuclear amendment

Here at the Gurn we are inclined to believe that the majority of people in our community would have grave doubts about more nuclear power stations in the Highlands, thus this observer was quite shocked to see on social media this afternoon the following comment by SNP Highland Councillor Emma Knox:

"Absolutely gutted. The Highland Council just voted 46 votes to 15 to explore the development of new nuclear power sources in the Highlands rather than join the group of Nuclear Free Local Authorities."

The amendment proposed by the Conservative group on the Council won the day. Emma Knox published a list of how members voted. This observer found it hard to read and asked her how Nairn members voted. Here is her reply: 

Liz was one of the proposers of the nuclear free motion. T Heggie spoke against the motion & voted with the Tories for the amendment. P Saggers voted for the amendment. L Fraser not here.

— EmmaKnox4U (@EmmaKnox4U) 7 March 2019

Emma Knox later told us that Tom didn't participate in the debate (which you can now see added to this article in the Highland Council embedded video below). : 

(Tom didn't speak but he did vote for the Tory amendment.)

— EmmaKnox4U (@EmmaKnox4U) 7 March 2019

There was quick reaction from the Green side of Scottish politics:

Speaking after Highland Council voted today to explore the development of new nuclear power sources in the Highlands, Highland and Islands Green MSP John Finnie said:

“Only this highly dysfunctional administration would consider a return to nuclear power.

“The Highlands and Islands is rich in wind, wave, tidal, solar power potential yet the unenlightened turn their back on that renewable wealth and seek a return to nuclear power, adding to the disastrous legacy we’ve already bequeathed on future generations."

The nuclear debate that took place in the Glenurquhart Road chamber earlier today. 

Snowdrop planting 2019 - along the Riverside Sat March 16th from 10 am and Sunday March 17th from 10.30 - Can you help - families welcome

Planning: developer contributions going to help finance High Life Dance Studio and cafe at Swimming Pool

Here at the Gurn we have been browsing through the details of a planning application on the Highland Council e-planning pages.  "We came across the following on a document entitled Development Plans Response":

"High Life Highland have committed to providing a new dance studio and sea facing café area in Nairn. All new housing developments within the Nairn Academy School catchment area are required to provide contributions towards this facility." 

And sure enough it says on that document "Community Facilities Nairn Leisure Centre. Expansion to provide dance studio and sea facing café area. £1,022". And as it is for ten houses the total is £10,220.

Now a dance studio fair enough but surely this will compete with other cafes in Nairn? Time to give developer contribution cash to all the cafes in Nairn to help out all round?  Here at the Gurn we think that the Highlife cafe venture should stand or fall on its own ability to generate revenue. 

Overwhelming support for a Single Community Council in Nairn according to Social Media poll.

The poll was posted in the popular Nairn Facebook pages Nairn our town our views and Nairn Rocks. The results speak for themselves. 

Remax Nairn 10K and fun runs 3 March 2019 - pictures

Individual images here. 

Living better with a long term condition - Illustrated talk on Old Nairn - Weds 6th of March 2-4 pm Nairn Dunbar Golf Club

Green MSP offers solidarity and support to HIAL air traffic controllers

Responding to reports that HIAL air traffic controllers have voted for strike action, Scottish Greens Transport spokesperson and Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said:

“The Scottish Ministers own HIAL and have a responsibility to ensure this situation is resolved urgently, with a fair settlement for staff. It’s perhaps no surprise that the Transport Secretary refused to say he had confidence in HIAL’s management the last time I asked him. I continue to offer solidarity and support to Prospect and its members.”