Highland Council has launched a second round of consultation on the proposed sale of Nairn’s Sandown Lands
HIGHLAND Council has launched a second round of consultation on the proposed sale of Nairn’s Sandown Lands.
The response to an earlier consultation on the matter was overwhelmingly against the sale of the land to a single developer.
But the council argued for a re-run on the basis that it wanted to give more people the chance to get involved.
Both Nairn River and Nairn West and Suburban community councils opposed the sale and have accused the council of pushing ahead with the second consultation simply because it did not get the answer it wanted first time round.
Highland Council announced the launch of the second Community Empowerment consultation last week, giving the Nairn community until January 31 to respond to the proposal to sell off Sandown.
“Sandown Lands are an important asset for Nairn Common Good and any decision must be based on the most complete information available,” a spokesperson said.
“Therefore, following an initial consultation on this proposal which concluded during early 2021, the council is undertaking a further period of consultation to ensure the opportunity to comment is given to as many members of the Nairn community as possible and to allow for the gathering of additional, detailed information. “
Chairman of the council’s Nairnshire area committee, Councillor Tom Heggie, said: “As a committee of elected members, we recognise the importance of the Sandown Lands to the residents and local communities within Nairn.
“During this further round of consultation, I would strongly encourage those who were not able to take part earlier this year to have a look at the proposals and respond to the consultation.
“It is important that we have representation from as many local groups and individuals as possible in order that we can continue the process with full and complete information which reflects the views and opinions of our local communities.”
As of October 2020 the land was valued at £6-£7 million though the council previously received an offer of £20 million from a developer.
Should the land be sold the money raised would be available for investment in other common good assets and community priorities in Nairn.
Dr Noble said:”The two community councils consulted and researched extensively before making our submissions.
“We have made our representations but Highland Council dismissed them because they didn’t like it.”
In a joint letter sent to all Highland Council members who are trustees of the Common Good and local MSPs, Dr Noble and chairman of Nairn River Community Council, Hamish Bain, accuse the local authority of being determined to “railroad” the exercise through irrespective of local views and to “manipulate the process by organising a further consultation despite the clear and overwhelming verdict delivered in the previous public exercise, and specifically, to ignore any representations which challenge or oppose the council’s declared intention to sell off this valuable Common Good land.”
Their letter continues: “There is genuine concern that the initiative to sell the Sandown land is driven not by any assessment of best value or community benefit, but by developer pressure and council ambition (as shown in the latest draft of the local plan) to deliver on housing targets.”
The full letter is available from https://www.nwscc.org.uk/ https://nairnrivercommunitycouncil.com/ and the Sandown Development Brief document and associated assessments can be accessed from https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/712055/sandown_development_brief
Interim chairman of Nairn West and Suburban Community Council, Dr Alastair Noble, said: “At the end of the day these are inalienable lands and it will be up to a sheriff who will decide whether or not this is in the best interests of the people of Nairn.
“It has to go to court so if they try to sell Sandown our response to the council is: ‘We will see you in court!’.
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