‘Listen to folk – reject this plan’ Nairn’s councillors told over the Inner Moray Firth Development Plan

Nairn’s Highland councillors have told local community councillors they will not reject the Inner Moray Firth Development Plan (IMFDP) before they see what it contains after it is reviewed.

There has been strong opposition to elements of the IMFDP, including plans by developer Springfield to start a major housing project east of Nairn.

Nairn River and Nairn West and Suburban community councils have been arguing that the IMFDP proposals by Highland Council will soon be superseded by the a new Local Place Plan and Local Development Plan for Nairn.

At a public meeting earlier this year attended by more than 120 people, there was strong support for the stance being taken by the community groups that no new building should be allowed at Nairn East until “proper infrastructure”, including a Nairn bypass, is in place.

At a meeting of Nairn River Community Council, chairman Hamish Bain told the Highland Council members present they were “elected to represent the people of Nairn” and that he hoped they would support the people of Nairn and reject the IMFDP’s proposals for the town.

Highland councillor Paul Oldham said the revised IMFDP would be coming before a meeting of Nairn Area Committee, adding: “You can’t expect us to make a decision until it comes to us.”

He was supported by fellow councillor Babs Jarvie, who said: “I’m keeping an open mind but I want to see what is presented.”

Dr Alastair Noble, chairman of Nairn West and Suburban Community Council, said what Nairn needed was jobs and not more housing for people to retire to.

He said what was needed was land to expand for industry.

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