Approval of plan for 300 homes on Nairn outskirts ‘defies common sense’
Approval of a new housing development west of Nairn represents a “failure” of planning towards communities and could create a “second Lochloy”, according to local representatives.
Highland Council’s south planning application committee last week approved plans by Barratt Developments to build 300 houses on the north side of the A96 at Delnies.
The plans were heavily criticised beforehand by community councils and other local groups due to the isolation of the development from the town as well as worrries about strain on existing infrastructure.
Nairn and Cawdor councillor Paul Oldham brought a motion to reject the application at the meeting, on the grounds that it breached a policy in the Highland Wide Local Development Plan, the new Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan (IMFLDP2), and National Planning Framework 4.
However he was told this wasn’t competent as an existing planning permission in principle dating back to 2008 was a material consideration which overrode all of those.
Nairn West and Suburban and Nairn River community councils objected, as well as Nairn Golf Club, as proposals included siting the sustainable drainage systems (Suds) pond for the development on land previously promised to the club for future expansion.
An objection sent by Cawdor and West Nairnshire Community Council received by committee members after the meeting had started.
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The application was passed as recommended without a vote, due to the inclusion of the area in the current IMFLDP.
A planning officer told the meeting that the promise over land for the golf club was simply based on discussions between the landowner and the club when the planning application in principle was approved 16 years ago.
He said: “There’s absolutely no legitimate planning requirement and it hasn’t come from planning that the land needs to be safeguarded. It would be quite frankly absurd to think that the council’s planning authority would compel a private landowner to keep aside land that a neighbourng landowner may wish to develop in the future. Should the golf club want to expand, they should buy the land.”
After the decision was taken, Cllr Oldham said: “Today we have seen planning fail our communities. We are allowing a development which will create a blot on the outskirts of Nairn, is not well connected with the community, and will not be of benefit to the community of Nairn.”
In a regular email newsletter he compiles he added that this was “not the end” of the development, as the road layout on plans was made to accommodate further development.
“In theory this would be difficult for any developer as the land is not zoned for housing in the IMFLDP2, but that can be overridden by making Delnies a Masterplan Consent Area,” he said.
Cllr Laurie Fraser also said: “Development should be by consent, and I don’t see the consent here.”
Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) chairman Dr Alastair Noble, said approval could create a situation similar to the Lochloy development which was built with no direct links to the A96 or the other side of the road where shops such as Sainsbury’s are located.
He said: “It’s a straight fight with our Local Place Plan and what the community wants, and that includes all four councillors who said on record that there should be no major developments without the infrastructure being upgraded.”
Adding that NICE will be calling for an independent review of the process he said: “This decision is completely incompatible with all the community-led local place planning that we have done in the past months and is putting at risk our golf club and the money that it brings into the local economy.
“It defies any common sense and planning sense.”
David Palmer, managing director of Barratt & David Wilson Homes North Scotland, said: “We’re pleased to confirm that proposals for the Delnies development in Nairn have been approved after going before Highland Council’s South Planning Application Committee last week.
“Our development represents a substantial investment in the local economy which, alongside the delivery of much needed homes, includes a new roundabout onto the A96, land for a new primary school, open space and improved footpath links. It will also generate a large number of jobs in the area including trade apprenticeships. We’re also proud to contribute to the local council’s affordable homes target, with 75 new affordable homes planned for the Delnies site.
“The development was first granted planning permission in principle in 2015 - and then renewed in 2021 - so we’re delighted to be making progress towards the first phase of this long-anticipated site. The development will also open up land for future phases of the wider development which include a hotel and spa, golf course and other facilities.”
Calum MacPherson, chief executive of Inverness & Cromarty Freeport, said: “The approval of Barratt's initial planning application for the development of 300 houses at Delnies, Nairn, is a significant milestone for the Highlands. It is a key step in securing future living and working opportunities around the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, which is at the heart of developments like these.
“The Highland business community is united in driving the local economy and long-term job creation. In order for this to become a reality, it is vital to build up housing stock and provide affordable entry-level homes and accommodation for letting. We urge the public and private sectors to continue to work together to accelerate our shared vision for housing and meet the growing needs of our communities.”
