King Street - Controversial planning application to be discussed tomorrow (22nd September) - NICE iterim survey results submitted to planners

 A 43 page document is presented on the agenda of the Highland Council South planning committee tomorrow at Glenurquhart Road. You can download a copy of it here (item 6.3).

There is a huge file of objection and support comments here on the e-planning file including a latest comment from Joan Noble re parking matters and also the results of the NICE survey.

Below is a screenshot of the interim results. Michael Barnett of NICE tells the planners that the full survey and analysis will shortly be published.

It will be interesting to see the level of debate tomorrow and the decision on a controversy that has been raging for a considerable time now. As we suggest we recommend that readers that have the time have a read of the comments for and against. 

Here at the Gurn we read with considerable interest this document submitted by Joan Noble that outlines her criticism of how Highland Council feel the development will affect the parking situation in Nairn and her considerable concern on how the loss of spaces will impact on the town centre.

And so tomorrow and a decision awaits - there will probably be a few folk in Nairn tuning in to the webcast from Glenurquhart Road tomorrow. 

Basking shark visits Nairn - Videos by David Clark taken 14th September 2020

Many thanks to David Clark for making these remarkable videos available to the Gurn

 

A whole lot of consultation going on: "Have your say on Phone Boxes, Police Scotland, Pre Planning Consultation and Short Term Lets - public consultations "

 More here on the Nairn River Community Council site.

Oor Liz quits SNP group on Highland Council for new group " Independents for Independence".

The Inverness Courier reports:

"Councillors Ron MacWilliam (Inverness Ness-side) and Kirsteen Currie (North, West and Central Sutherland) – both known as vocal champions of their wards – had been suspended during the lockdown but tonight they were reinstated.

The move did not go down well with everyone and co-leader Maxine Smith (Cromarty Firth) resigned along with Pauline Munro (Cromarty Firth) and Liz MacDonald (Nairn and Cawdor) to form their own group Independents for Independence."

 

More on Courier site here

Nairn M&Co store building up for auction with 7 other stores

 Insider.co.uk reports: "Eight stores from Glasgow-based retailer M&Co's portfolio are to be sold in an online auction next week."  Although a sign on the outside of the shop advertising the auction says "Business not affected".

"The properties are in High Street in Nairn, Rotterdam Street in Thurso, Dockhead Street in Saltcoats, High Street in Wick, High Street in Hawick, Main Street in Wishaw, Channel Street in Galashiels and Dalrymple Street in Girvan."

 Tuilleadh an seo - more here 

Three phone boxes set to go in Nairn - one objection received

Details on this Highland Council page. The objection to the removal of one of the boxes at "Fraser Park" states: 

"1 objection received, citing importance to school children and motorists on A82. Removal would exacerbate risks to public safety in the event of an emergency as well as deprivation for local residents without access to mobile phones."

 More details here, the consultation is still ongoing and will close on the 10th of October. 

Nairn Town Centre Plan - Interesting comments stacking up on the NICE survey page

The controversial King Street development is making headlines in the Nairnshire Telegraph this week and the editorial in the paper centres on the ongoing arguments for and against the development. 

Anyway if you have any thoughts about what is best for the town centre then this survey page over on the NICE website may be of interest to you and also the comments entered below it.

Hands on for clocking on

Hands went back on the final empty face of the Courthouse clock tower this morning. 

A new chapter in Nairn's retail history

 The Home Bargains store is open at Balmakeith. Definitely more choice for consumers in the town now and this is the type of store that people travel out of town to visit, jobs have been created too. There are worries however of potential impact on the High Street. 

Update: been up this evening and that was a very good experience. Bargains yes, well worth a look and traffic light entry system if things get too busy. Verdict - will be back.

Parking charges for the Harbour, the Maggot, Cumming Street/Links areas back on the Agenda - NRCC asking public questions about how to proceed with Highland Council proposals for Tourist Welcome

Nairn River Community Council state on their website that during a recent online meeting between the town's two Community Councils and 3 of the town's Highland Councillors it emerged that : 

"At this meeting Highland Council representatives presented the following priority areas for discussion. 

1/ improving toilet facilities and waste disposal for Camper Vans near the Harbour, 

(where current public toilets are closed) 

 

2/the possibility of Highland Council working with Nairn communities to bring in a new parking charges scheme on 3 'seafront' parking areas - the Harbour, the Maggot, Cumming Street/Links 

( all 3 are Common Good lands) 

 

Various 'business models' were described which are operating in other Highland Communities, where Highland Council oversees collection of charges and parking enforcement. Options include Council  paying a one off annual rental to Nairn Common Good fund or agreeing a percentage of surplus funds to be released for local community spending."  

River CC have posted additional information re this and other issues and are asking a number of questions, including the following on Parking:

 

" Re Parking Charges 

1/ Do you think that parking charges should be progressed as a general principle on the 3 Common Good sites mentioned ( Harbour, Cumming St , Maggot)? 

 2/ Do you think parking charges on Common Good land should be managed and run by Highland Council ?

 3/ What kind of management contract would you prefer to see if THC takes on the parking operation?

this could -be an up front a one off rental fee ( 5-10 k in other parts of Highland) a management contract where a 'cut' of the income eg 50/50 ( minus costs) comes back to CG fund. a service level agreement -which could entail a 20% fee to THC and % of net income

 4/Do you want Nairn to explore other 'community led' alternatives for managing these Common Good facilities - ( eg in Findhorn a local community trust manages a car park and collects parking fees ) 

5/Do you want to see Parking Charges introduced in other parts of Nairn ( eg Town Centre)? 

 If Yes please suggest where."

 

To read further questions and comments, more here on the Nairn River Community Council website.