Nairn Bowling Club’s clubhouse plans spark objections with group of residents setting up Save Our Showfield campaign in bid to halt the developement
A new group set up in a bid to halt the development of a new bowling clubhouse in Nairn saw a packed room in attendance as they held their first public meeting.
Save Our Showfield was recently set up by residents of the area near the Farmer’s Showfield — where the proposed plans for Nairn Bowling Club’s new two-storey clubhouse could take shape if given the go-ahead by the south planning committee.
According to the developers, the new clubhouse — which would have two outdoor greens, an indoor green, a bar and a creche inside as well as a space for functions — is being built with the aim of being a “welcoming community hub” and to provide Nairn with a top-notch facility for the sport to host relevant competitions and increase membership.
However, a special meeting was called by the group and hosted by Nairn West and Suburban Community Council in a bid to discuss the plans — which have currently received almost 80 objections, against 23 comments in favour of the development — with Nairn Bowling Club representatives.
However, on the night, only the bowling club’s agent Paul MacDonald of CRGP architects, was in attendance.
Speaking to a full room — with people standing and queuing up in the corridor — were committee members of the Save Our Showfield, who raised serious concerns over the development’s effect on people living in the area.
The increase in traffic and fears over safety on the road — particularly concerning school pupils and young people walking on Waverley Road — were among the main points discussed on the night.
Although Mr MacDonald highlighted that traffic surveys had been undertaken, representatives of the objecting group said that the surveys were done at times and dates outside the busiest hours for the area — such as on game days for Nairn St Ninian’s.
The size of the development in comparison to the demand for bowling facilities was also being questioned, and whether it will be able to host major events was also being questioned.
Group representatives concluded that they will be exploring options for community ownership and potential projects which could bring developmengt to the Showfield in a way that is “more sympathetic to the views of those who have to live in the area.”
More on this on our website and in next week’s Nairnshire Edition of the Inverness Courier.