Supporting community action and local decision making in Nairnshire

A statement of community priorities and aspirations for the Nairnshire area has been backed by Highland Councillors.

At a meeting of the Nairnshire Area Committee on Monday (26 May) members agreed to adopt the ‘Our Nairnshire’ plan as one source of evidence of community aspiration, to inform wider decision making about spatial planning, service delivery, options for asset management, development and investment towards the continuous improvement and wellbeing of the Nairn and Cawdor Ward.

Chair of the Nairnshire area committee, Councillor Michael Green, said: “We all want Nairn and Nairnshire to be a vibrant, welcoming community that sustains and nurtures its residents, visitors and employers.

“Our Nairnshire pledges to support community action, local decision making and to build on so much of the good work that is already happening across our area.

“I’d like to thank all the individuals, stakeholders and local community groups for the proactive role they have played in shaping the plan. Their input into the process has been invaluable.

“We look forward to any community groups, either currently or newly formed, to take forward any projects for the enhancement of the ward.”

Members noted the ‘Our Nairnshire’ vision as both a proposed Local Place Plan under national planning legislation and an Area Place Plan, in line with Highland’s place-based framework for planning and investment in communities.

The plan’s content was developed through extensive public and stakeholder engagement undertaken over 2023 and 2024 including surveys, drop-in sessions and workshops facilitated by Planning Aid Scotland.

The plan further sets out priority outcomes to be progressed by the community, public and private sectors.

These include:

• Sustainable Futures: promoting sustainability, resilience and environmental stewardship, but also sustaining a population.

• Jobs & Business: creating the space and conditions for businesses to expand and accommodate growth, business support and employment conditions.

• Town & Village Centre regeneration: revitalising town and village centres to create vibrant, attractive and functional places.

• Green spaces & Leisure: enhancing green spaces for recreation, nature and community wellbeing.

• Getting Around: improving transportation infrastructure and connectivity for all modes of travel.

Based on public feedback, the plan identifies 43 specific proposals for action to deliver against the priority outcomes identified by the plan, in addition to mapping 49 sites of strategic significance to plan for a vision for the future of the area.

What is an Area Place Plan?

• In partnership with local communities, public agencies, private and third sector, Highland Council has facilitated the development of ‘place-based’ approaches to planning for the future of each sub-regional area. During 2023 - 2025, area-based plans have been produced for each area, as a statement of local priorities for development and investment, service delivery and community action.
• The Place Principle is a Scottish Government and CoSLA initiative to encourage better collaboration and community involvement.
• In Highland, sub regional Area Place Plans have been developed to bring forward increased clarity on local priorities.
• Our Nairnshire is one such example of a community led Area Place Plan, alongside others undertaken by community bodies representing the Black Isle, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh and North West Sutherland.

What is a Local Place Plan?

• Following recent changes to the national planning system, communities have been invited to consider preparation of their own Local Place Plans – a community’s proposals for development and use of land and buildings in their local area.
• Across Highland, several groups are engaging their local community to reflect how to make their place better, agree priorities for the future and how to act on them – often working with others.

Our Nairnshire Plan was initiated by Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) following a mandate arising at a community stakeholder meeting facilitated by HIE, Highland Council and Community Enterprise Scotland, in March 2023, which identified place planning as a key priority for the community and local economic development.

The Our Nairnshire vision can be viewed at https://ournairnshire.org/