Plans revealed for 650 new homes on fringes of Nairn
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MASTER plan for a new village of 650 homes on the eastern fringes of Nairn is expected to be lodged with Highland Council planners next year.
Springfield Properties, which is nearing completion of more than 400 houses at its Lochloy development, has proposals for 650 homes on land at Balmakeith, Househill and Achnacloich.
The three sites total 250 acres and, if approved, will begin close to Sainsbury’s stretching out towards Auldearn, tying in with the new Nairn bypass, which is expected to start in the next few years.
Springfield Properties has reached agreement with the landowners and is putting the finishing touches to its blueprint which includes a 30-acre parkland. It can be accessed from Boath Park, River Park and Balmakeith Park in the field between Granny Barbours Road and Grantown Road opposite the new site for the Nairnshire Farming Society Showfield.
The site will wrap round the Grigorhill Industrial Estate.
One of the farmers involved, Margaret Nicolson, of Househill, said: “We have been involved in discussions with Springfield for some time and it’s hoped their proposals will be incorporated in the council’s new development brief for the Inner Moray Firth.
“We think the time is right to make the announcement, given the fact the Nairn bypass has been given the green light.
“At Househill, the plan is to build between our farmhouse and what will be the new bypass so any west-bound traffic will have direct access to that and won’t have to pass through Nairn.”
There will be immediate access to Granny Barbour and Grantown roads and links to the bypass.
Mrs Nicolson added: “Springfield want to develop 90 acres of Househill including 30 acres of the lower field as amenity space. That field cannot be developed for housing because it’s on a flood plain.
“The bypass has made a strong case for the development and we are confident Springfield will be able to meet all the requirements of the planning department and provide Nairn with some much-needed additional land for housing.”
Mrs Nicolson revealed they would be losing a further five acres of their farm to the new bypass which includes a flyover to allow the A939 (Nairn to Grantown Road) to go over the new road.
“The Scottish Government is now at the stage where they are preparing valuations for land for the bypass and we are expecting our land to be sold this year,” she said. “I hope that this is an indication we could see a start being made which will release a lot of land for the future development of Nairn.”
Dave Main, north managing director at Springfield Properties, said: “Our vision is to create a sustainable neighbourhood within Nairn that feeds into the already thriving community. A neighbourhood that includes a range of apartments, houses and bungalows, across different tenures, so there is something for everyone. A place that could include business opportunities from local shops to cafés and hairdressers to nurseries so those living in the area have everything they need within 20 minutes of their home. “
He said the development would incorporate places for children to play, green open space, allotments, walking and cycle paths that feed into existing routes and tree-lined streets.
“Springfield has designed a village that captures this vision – Nairn East,” he said.
“The master plan features approximately 650 new homes, including affordable which will help meet housing need in the region and it includes allocated land for a school, or a community hall, should there be a requirement for either.
“The plans are in keeping with the wider area of Nairn and will work in tandem with the approved Nairn bypass offering direct access from the new road to the proposed development streamlining the drive to Inverness or Elgin without increasing traffic through the town.”
Springfield has three villages well under way in Elgin, Dundee and Perth, a fourth in Stirling approved for planning and a fifth in Livingston with an application submitted for review.
“Naturally, we are at very early stages in the process with Nairn East, however if successful with the development plan making process, we would be looking to submit detailed proposals to the Highland Council for consideration in summer 2022.”
