Loch Ness-side community of Foyers split over plans for new community facilities
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AMBITIOUS plans for new community sporting facilities that have split a Loch Ness-side village have been given permission in principle – but a local group has been formed to fight on.
The River Foyers Residents Group who oppose the development and the Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust are due to meet on Wednesday this week for talks.
The major plan by the Trust for a field in Lower Foyers, attracted objections from 18 households with just two in favour. The site is near homes at Gray’s Park and Riverside.
The recently formed River Foyers Residents’ Group is against the development, and spokesman Craig Lightbody said they have meeting with representatives of the Trust scheduled.
The development is part of the trust’s vision for enhancing the area by investing income received from wind farm and hydro scheme developers.
The masterplan of community facilities being sought for the grazing field site in Lower Foyers shows a long and varied list – a covered multi-use games area (MUGA), community hall, putting green, climbing wall, trim trail, outdoor table tennis, in-ground trampolines, sensory garden, ball wall, landscaped terrace seating and petanque courts.
A report to Highland Council’s south planning applications committee said permission in principle covers the masterplan, car park and associated drainage, with the individual components of the development then becoming the subject of further detailed applications.
Mr Lightbody said one of the major fears is the amount of traffic the development will attract.
He said Highland Council transport planning experts estimate up to 250 vehicles per day – up and down a steep single-track road with passing places, then across a rattling, stop-gap Baillie bridge over the river.
The objections are on many grounds including road safety and loss of amenity as well as adverse visual impact on the landscape with the site visible from the South Loch Ness Trail, Great Glen Way and the A82 across Loch Ness plus the loch itself.
There is concern also that the planned sports pitch, covered with a large white canopy, will be entirely out of place.
Mr Lighbody asked: “Who would want a mini O2 arena on their doorstep? Some homes in Upper Foyers will be looking down on that.”
It is also feared a planned climbing wall and floodlighting would have adverse impact on the character of the loch and rural nature of the area and that the development would lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour, encourage wild camping, cause traffic congestion and impact on pedestrian safety.
Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council also objected to the application. While being supportive of the work that the trust is doing to improve sporting and leisure facilities in the area to improve physical and mental health, it feels the proposal is not right for the location.
Many believe the shinty pitch on the other side of the river would be more suitable.
The trust could not be contacted for comment on this week’s meeting, but chairwoman Kirsty Balfour said previously the plan went to a number of consultations over a number of years, as to what would be included.
She added there was lots of support in the wider community and they were anxious to take account of residents’ feelings as they move forward.
