'Additional' community consultation launched for Nairn community to decide what it would like Highland Council to do with the regards to the sale of community land at Sandown

Highland Council has launched an additional community empowerment consultation giving the Nairn community until January 31 2022 to respond to a proposal to dispose, by sale, of Sandown Lands, Nairn.

The council said it had received no offer for the land but it is important to understand community views on the proposal.

An earlier consultation resulted in 98 responses including two from local community councils.

The responses were overwhelming against the sell off of the 38 hectares of agricultural land.

Nairn's two community councils also opposed the sell off and objected to a second round of consultation.

The principal objections outline the wholesale sell off of the site for housing at a time when land values have collapsed.

Highland Council said Sandown is an important Common Good asset and any decision must be based on the most complete information available.

Therefore, following an initial consultation which concluded during early 2021, the council is undertaking a further period of consultation to ensure the opportunity to comment is given to as many members of the Nairn community as possible and to allow for the gathering of additional, detailed information.

Any additional information collected as part of this additional consultation will be combined with the responses already received.

Chairman of the Nairnshire area committee, Councillor Tom Heggie, said: “As a committee of elected members, we recognise the importance of the Sandown Lands to the residents and local communities within Nairn.

He continued: “During this further round of consultation, I would strongly encourage those who were not able to take part earlier this year to have a look at the proposals and respond to the consultation. It is important that we have representation from as many local groups and individuals as possible in order that we can continue the process with full and complete information which reflects the views and opinions of our local communities.”

The allotment gardens together with a parcel of land for extension of the gardens will be excluded from the proposal.

The current value of the land is estimated to be around £6million - £7million. At one stage a developer offered more than £20m for the site but the plans were rejected.

The latest valuation has been estimated after taking into account possible variables including the potential for increased developer contributions.

Should the land be sold, then this money would be available for investment in other Common Good assets and community priorities in Nairn.

Highland Council agreed to proceed with a second consultation claiming only a small proportion of the estimated population of Nairn had responded to the first consultation

The Nairnshire Area Committee agreed this additional period of consultation on September 15 2021 and also agreed the formation of a short term reference group which would support the consultation by providing advice and support on methods and avenues to widen engagement and gather views.

The reference group has met twice in the lead up to this additional consultation period, the two Nairn Community Councils were invited to join the reference group but declined to take part.

The Sandown Development Brief document and associated assessments can be accessed from Highland Council at https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/712055/sandown_development or hard copies can be provided on request.

Responses to the consultation are welcomed and can be submitted online at https://forms.office.com/r/ru2YizkLec or by post to: Sara Murdoch, The Highland Council HQ, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.

Closing date for responses is 5pm on 31 January 2022.

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