Aird and Loch Ness Ward Forum
Thursday 4th November 2010
Priory Hotel, Beauly
Present
Councillor Helen Carmichael (Chairperson)
Councillor Margaret Davidson
Councillor Drew Hendry
William Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, Highland Council
Charles Stephen, Ward Manager, Highland Council
Supt Ian Arnott, Northern Constabulary
Chief Insp Andrew MacLean, Northern Constabulary
Sgt Alan Heath, Northern Constabulary
Tim Stott, Principal Planner, Highland Council
Anne Cowling, Landscape Officer, Highland Council
James Campbell – Beauly Community Council
Seona Fraser – Beauly Community Council
Francis Douglas McWilliams – Inverness West Community Council
George Greig – Inverness West Community Council
Alisdair Stewart – Kilmorack Community Council
Jim Ogilvie – Kirkhill & Bunchrew Community Council
Robin Sproull – Strathglass Community Council
Gavin MacLennan – The Friary, Beauly
9 Members of the Public
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Councillor Carmichael welcomed all to the Ward Forum and introduced the speakers.
Northern Constabulary
Superintendant Ian Arnott outline Northern Constabulary’s situation regarding managing a reducing budget from £13.6m to £9.7m. They are proposing to close Police Stations rather than reduce Police Officer hours. Beauly Police Station has been identified for closure. Officers will be based at the Muir of Ord Police Station but remain under the command of Supt Arnott. They will continue to provide Community Policing across the Ward.
Chief Inspector MacLean reminded delegates that the Highlands and Ward 13 are safe places to live with very little crime.
Councillors questioned the basis of the decision regarding closure of Beauly.
Northern Constabulary were invited to attend both Beauly and Cannich Community Councils.
Beauly Square Upgrade
Presentation by Anne Cowling, Landscape Officer, Highland Council about the design proposals for the Beauly Square upgrade.
Area 1 – Ferry Road Junction
• Pedestrian paving extended towards The Royal Bank to narrow junction and provide safer pedestrian crossing location.
• Widen paving outside Royal Bank to narrow junction. This will reduce traffic speeds and, by increasing the definition of the corner will act as a deterrent to parking within the sightlines.
• Provide drop kerbs either side of junction to aid pedestrian access.
• Install bollard adjacent to drop kerb outside Royal Bank to deter motorists from parking on the pavement.
Area 2 Brae View Park Road
• Replace existing footway with new bitmac footpath 2m in width
• Replacement of the existing lighting columns with a greater number of new columns giving improved lighting and a safer environment.
• Signage to inform motorists that long term parking is available at Brae View Park.
Area 3 – Co-op Slip Road
• Removal of the plastic bollards
• Formalise the parking with construction of 10 pull-in bays defined by kerblines.
• Create pedestrian crossing at footpath level.
• Introduce single direction traffic movement
• Increase footpath width outside shops
• Extend paving to define parking/loading space on Croyard Road and improve junction lines.
Area 4 – Commercial Street Junction
• Shortening of Bus-stop to allow redefining of junction and prevent use of bus-stop as turning lane.
• Narrowing of junction, to increase pedestrian safety and with bus-stop changes reduce entry speeds of vehicles to Square.
• Extension of pedestrian paving to define the end of parking and encourage vehicles to observe junction priorities.
Budget Figures - Total Project Cost of £250,000 covers all priorities identified through consultation.
Works - £205,000 Eligilbe for LEADER
Design / Site Supervision / Admin £45,000 - Not eligible for Leader
Total Funding requirement £250,000
HIghland Council £125,000 made up of 50% P&D/50% TECS
LEADER £125,000 ~ Half of total costs, 61% of eligible costs
Project Breakdown
Areas
1 - Ferry Road Junction - £45,000
2 - Brae View Park Path - £50,000
3 – Co-op Slip Road - £115,000
4 – Commercial Street Junction - £40,000
See attached design layout drawing.
Questions
Q. Concern was expressed about the new Ferry Road layout having an impact on the Highland Cross participants as they approach the finish line.
A. Some minor modifications may be made to reduce this impact.
Q. Will a maximum speed limit be imposed?
A. A condition of no restriction is encumbered in the land title.
Q. Will the improved path to Braeview Park not lead to increased vandalism?
A. Police are of the opinion that vandalism is not a significant issue there.
Q. Could more parking spaces be created at the old Priory?
A. This could be looked at.
Q. Has consideration been taken regarding access for commercial vehicles?
A. Anne will check on this with the Design Team.
Highland-wide Local Development Plan
Presentation by Tim Stott, Principal Planner, Highland Council regarding the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.
See attached Powerpoint presentation.
Questions
Q. Previously croft holders could build at least 2 houses on their land?
A. There can be restrictions because areas are usually served by single track roads. There is scope for rounding off housing groups of 3 or more houses with, perhaps 1 or 2 more.
Q. Do we ask developers to provide recreational facilities a spart of the infrastructure?
A. Open Space is required – that can include play areas; football fields; etc. and can iclude play equipment. This is usually achieved by negotiation between the developrs and the planners.
Q. Can developers build on existing play areas?
A. Policy protects play areas. However, should developers want to build on play areas they would have to provide alternative play areas.