Is it finally D-Day for Sandown? Members of Highland Council's Nairnshire area committee set to decide on whether to take it off the market and explore other uses on Monday
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An area of land – once subject to a bidding war among home developers – could be officially taken off the market next week.
For years controversy has surrounded future plans for Sandown lands on the western outskirts of Nairn and the town’s councillors will be asked on Monday to agree with a recommendation by Highland Council officials not to proceed with any sale of it.
It was previously touted by the council as an “eagerly-awaited development of farmland” which received offers of more than £14 million 15 years ago and, although a deal was struck, it was later rescinded when the developer failed to receive planning permission.
A valuation in October 2020 estimated the land to be worth between £6 million and £7 million.
The 38-hectare site lying either side of the A96, owned by Nairn Common Good Fund, has most recently been the subject of two public consultations, held by the council in November 2020 and January this year.
Results have been made public this week and will be discussed at a meeting of the Nairnshire area committee on Monday where members will also be recommended to explore a number of options including using the land to grow food and to develop potential future proposals once the Nairn bypass has been built.
The report noted that the consultation had clearly shown a strong community concern in Nairn relating to Sandown and its future use and that the recommendations reflected that.
The news has been welcomed by Dr Alastair Noble, chairman of Nairn West and Suburban Community Council, who was opposed to the land being used for development.
“We welcome the recommendations – it is just common sense,” he said.
He added that, as far as he understood, Nairn would be used as a model for how Common Good land could be handled with more community involvement.
“Quite clearly that is the right decision and if we couple that with a proposal to come up with the right models, making sure that the Common Good is used in the best interests of the Common Good with local involvement,” he said.
“That is exactly what we have been arguing for all along.
“We are very willing to work with the council. Nairn could well be the model for the rest of the Highlands to make sure the Common Good is properly understood.”
Hamish Bain, the chairman of Nairn River Community Council, also thought it would be a positive move: “Personally speaking, I’m pleased that it’s not going ahead at the moment.”
He added: “If they are putting Sandown on a back burner because of the lack of a bypass the same position must be adopted for any other developments around the town.”
The report states that the analysis took into account all the feedback received during both consultation periods and the recommendations were based on the aggregated feedback.
It added: “The representations received from the first phase of the consultation clearly demonstrate the strong community concern in Nairn relating to Sandown and its future use.
“The second phase of consultation has provided a clearer understanding of community views regarding potential land use options. This has assisted in informing options on how to progress.”
The report by ward manager Lewis Hannah and Common Good officer Sara Murdoch outlines a number of next steps for the land, stating: “Options to establish further community growing opportunities on the Sandown Lands field are explored through a feasibility study, which will include further engagement with the community.
“The scope for commissioning this feasibility study will be brought before a future meeting of this committee.
“And that further work to consider uses for the remainder of the Sandown Lands will be led by the Nairn and Nairnshire Community Partnership, and relevant sub-groups, in an Area Place Planning process.
“Any future proposal will be subject to a further Community Empowerment Act Consultation and reports to meetings of this committee.”
The proposed sale of land did not include allotment gardens or a parcel of land for extension of the gardens. If the land was sold, then the money would have been available for investment in other Common Good assets and community priorities in Nairn.
