Badenoch and Strathspey Committee Members agree to withdraw from the change of use application of the Square in Grantown on Spey

At a Special Meeting of the Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee this morning it was agreed to revert to an invitation-to-pay donation scheme for short-term pitch lets at the Grantown on Spey Market Square.

A mandatory payment scheme for short-term pitch lets was proposed to grow the Common Good Fund, giving people in Grantown access to funding for the local community. However, in recognition of the weight of the community reaction, Committee has agreed that the Council will withdraw the application to change the use of the Square.

Committee Members expressed a desire for a position of compromise on the matter of the Square between the community and the Highland Council and want to find ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square, harnessing their energy and enthusiasm and help them deliver on their ambitions for the area.

Convener of Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, said “After much consideration, we have decided that it is in the best interests of the local community and the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund to withdraw from the ongoing change of use application process and revert to the previous voluntary donation scheme.

“The intention behind changing the use of the Market Square was to generate additional income for the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund, in the same way that other areas such as Nairn and Dornoch benefit from their Common Good land. We consulted with community groups, publicised the consultation locally and held local events in Grantown. However, the response to the consultation was extremely low and subsequently it has become clear that there is significant opposition despite the fact that the only people to have benefitted would have been residents of Grantown on Spey. We will continue to listen to and engage with people in Grantown to understand their position.”

Chair of Badenoch and Strathspey Committee, Councillor Russell Jones, said: “In light of the current position, we believe it is of benefit to everyone involved to draw a conclusion to this matter.  We do not want hardworking local people to feel they have to raise money to oppose a plan that was intended to generate funding for them. Collaboration with Grantown on Spey Community Council is crucial for community projects to progress and I look forward to working together and finding ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square.”

The voluntary donation scheme at the Square will take effect immediately.