Nairn industrial units plans granted for new development near Balmakeith
Plans to build seven industrial units near Balmakeith in Nairn were given the green light by councillors yesterday.
The South Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday approved the development of a set of industrial units on land near the A96, which saw no opposition from committee members.
Nairn councillors Laurie Fraser and Paul Oldham — who is chair of the committee — left the room during the decision, having declared an interest related to comments previously made on the future use of the land.
Aird and Loch Ness councillor Chris Ballance raised a motion, eventually approved, asking for an EV charging point to be made a requirement to be added within the parking infrastructure.
Although the decision went unopposed during the meeting, it sparked a heated debate in the community since the application, submitted by Space MGM, was lodged.
Nairn River Community Council voiced its strong opposition to the development on the site, saying that area was designated as a greenspace in the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2 (IMFLDP2).
The Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) — behind the Nairnshire Local Place Plan —was also against the plans.
Their objection stated that the LPP highlighted availability of space at the eastern end of the Balmakeith business park area “to satisfy local unmet demand for new business units” and that during the consultation for the LPP they found an “overwhelming desire that green space should be protected and preserved”, including the land on which the development is proposed.
However the majority of public comments was in support of the project, welcomed by many as an opportunity for smaller businesses to grow and expand.
The reporter — who recommended councillors grant the application — concluded that although the site does have a localised value as a green space, it does not have any associated statutory natural heritage designations, and its identification as being part of the local green network in IMFLDP2 does not preclude development of the site.
