Councillor hits back at Nairn battery claim about internet access
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A NAIRN councillor has raised concerns over claims that elderly people without internet access are excluded from commenting on planning applications.
In last week’s Courier we covered the approval of a new battery storage planning application at Househill.
In relation to the approval, Nairn River Community Council chairman, Hamish Bain, said elderly people had been excluded from objecting or commenting due to lack of alternatives other than submitting the comments online.
But councillor Paul Oldham has rebuffed his claim, saying: “I’m concerned it was claimed that elderly residents without Internet access are excluded from commenting on planning applications. This is simply not true. You can still submit written comments on any planning application, and people do.
“Comments can be posted to: ePlanning, eProcessing Centre, The Highland Council, Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, IV3 5NX.”
He added that people wanting more information on applications can use the computers made available for the public at Nairn Library and seek help with the local branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
A CAB spokesperson said: “If anyone needed help looking into a specific planning application, we’d be glad to help them. We have our digital hub - it’s not open all the time but we have on occasion training ans support for the public.
“If a member of the public needs help access public information online they can make an appointment and come by and we can help them directly accessing the information they need.”
