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|
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Tim Stott outlined to the meeting the purpose
of the Local Plan which was to provide a framework for
the type of development relevant to deciding future planning
for the area. Part of the HC's aim is to ensure that landowners
are very much part of the process, e.g. the NTS in the
case of Plockton, and also Housing Associations. Frequent
meetings are held with these bodies to discuss investment
options, and also with the Water Authorities. |
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With regard to the Plan a query was raised
as to the apparent "commerce boundary" outlined
along the length of Harbour Street, Plockton.This was
confirmed as correct by the Planner. |
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Tim Stott then informed the meeting on the
furthering of The Process, confirming that this was the
last opportunity for the public and Community Council
to lodge formal objections/comments, and
these should be submitted in writing to the Director of
Planning & Development (Ilighlands & Islands Local
Plan), The Highland Council, Glenurqhuart Road, Inverness
IV3 SNX, to be received no later than 14 March 2008. |
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A written report on all the objections/comments
which had been submitted would then be discussed and dealt
with by the main Planning Committee in Inverness, hopefully
before the summer break. Should there not be a satisfactory
agreed outcome to any objections the matter could be furthered
by holding an independent enquiry, which would be chaired
by a person totally independent of the Highland Council. |
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When the Council have the Planning Committee's
decisions, it will write to all those who have written
in, informing them where they can acquire the information
relating to the outcome. It is likely these will be made
available in the Local Service Point. |
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The Chairman felt that it would have been
a far more satisfactory process when the first draft plan
was produced 2½ years ago, if this had been purely
Lochalsh rather than being combined with Lochaber. Tim
Stott confirmed that this had been based on reducing costs,
and also on the fact that the Planning Applications are
now dealt with for the overall area. |
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The following comments relating to the Plan
were discussed: |
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The HC, through the Local Plan, has earmarked two Affordable
Housing Units on the land South of Cooper Street, i.e.
on Ard a'Mhormhaich, with the proviso that the remainder
of the open area revert to community space, this having
been put to the landowners, who had expressed the wish
to further develop the site. In relation
to the proposal for affordable housing units on the site,
two letters had been received by the CC objecting to such
a development. Suggesting the possibility of a community
buy-out of Ard a'Mhormhaich. and should this prove possible,
outlining ideas for improving the area as a community
facility. |
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The area behind Plockton High School is shown as a grey
area, which denotes that this would not be developed within
the 5-year life of the present Local Plan, but could be
considered after such a period. The Grazings Committee.
had made it clear that they did not wish to release this
area for housing development. |
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Together with the Burnside development, due for completion
by January 2010, ten mainstream houses were outlined to
be built on NTS land below the monument. It was felt that
as many as ten houses was an unrealistic size of development
for the area. No timing was given for the development
of this proposed site. |
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Concern was raised that the Church of Scotland Glebe
area had not been earmarked as an area for a possible
development of amenity housing. |
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Subsequent
to the meeting the objections/comments of the Community
Council would be submitted to the Director of Planning,
and any other representations to the CC from individuals
would be forwarded, prior to 14 March. |
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The Chairman concluded this matter by thanking
Tim Stott for attending both the open surgery in the afternoon,
and also the CC meeting. |
|
|
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The Minutes of the last meeting were proposed
and seconded by I Matheson and G R Webster, respectively.
|
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Matters Arising |
| a) |
Police matters |
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The Chairman stated that there
had been two cases recently of minor vandalism in the
village, but in general these incidents had become minimal. |
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It had been a year since meetings
had been held to discuss the possibility of having a bye-law
to "prohibit the consumption of alcoholic liquor
in designated public areas" at which time it was
agreed to delay any decision for 12 months and then re-assess
the situation. It was felt, and confirmed by the police
representatives based on the very much reduced number
of complaints, that this situation had improved considerably.
The police confirmed that there had been considerably
more patrols, made possible by increased manpower. It
was agreed that, at present, there would be no need to
further the process. |
| b) |
Housing Projects |
| |
|
The Chairman and G R Webster had attended
a Ward Meeting in Kyle, where it was confirmed that the
Free Presbyterian amenity housing project would be completed
April 2008, and Burnside affordable housing site by January
2010. |
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|
It had been decided that Burnside houses
would now all be completed at the same time, instead of
in two stages as originally intimated. |
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A letter had been received from the Housing
Association proposing that the postal address for the
new FP Church site amenity houses. should be 17 and 18
Bank Street. The CC would write to the Housing Association
agreeing to this suggestion. |
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A copy letter written to Keith Fairweather,
Assistant Secretary, Church of Scotland General Trustees,
by the L&S Housing Association regarding the Church
of Scotland Glebe, Old Manse, had been received, confirming
the Association's keen interest in acquiring the Glebe
site for housing for older people. The Housing Association
also planned to make a formal objection to the Local Plan's
failure to identify this site for possible development. |
| |
|
A letter had been received from Mark and
Lucy Ewing, owners of The Pink House, advising the CC
of the refurbishment work which was to be carried out
and requesting permission to temporarily occupy parking
spaces on the road opposite the cottage for materials
storage.This notification was much appreciated by the
CC. |
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|
The owner of the two properties in the
village, the condition of which had been the subject of
several complaints to the CC over a considerable amount
of time, was present at the meeting. Both these properties
remained unsightly and unoccupied, but the owner cited
the problems which had ensued with Planning and the representations
he had had that holiday houses would not be the preferred
use. ]'he CC felt that the three years which had elapsed
was unnecessarily long and that holiday home useage would
be preferable to the houses lying empty and untidy. The
owner expressed his willingness to complete the necessary
work, the confirmation of which was appreciated by the
CC. |
| c) |
Roads Department |
| |
The car park area at the new pontoon had
been tarred by the Department, but it was noted that regretfully
this had not been completed, leaving an area comprising
the strip of land adjacent to the pontoon, the reason
being given being that it belongs to the Harbour Authority.
The Harbourmaster would be contacted in this connection. |
| d) |
Village Maintenance |
| |
A letter had been received
from Mark Crowe,
HC Community Works Manager, following the CC's request
for more village maintenance input from the HC i.e. particularly
with regard to grass cutting and street cleaning. No additional
budget had been made available for grass cutting, and
the HC felt that Plockton did not receive a lesser service
to any other rural areas It was, however, noted that Plockton
had not received any street cleaning service for a considerable
time. It was, however. noted that the present administration
has committed to provide additional budget for environmental
improvements across the Highlands. The HC hope, therefore,
to increase the frequency of street cleaning, with a small
amount of additional grass cutting. |
| e) |
Post Office Matters |
| |
Although there has been no recommendation
for closure of Plockton PO, official confirmation has
not vet been received. |
| f) |
Rural Public Transport |
| |
In reply to a CC letter dated 16 March,
a recent letter had been received from Neil Young, HC
Transport Officer, regarding the Highland Country Buses,
Skye, Plockton; Kvle service. The CC had requested that
the bus come into the village car park, rather than turning
at the railway station, thus providing a far more meaningful
service. The bus company, however, felt unable to accede
to this request owing to the difficulty of the manoeuvre
necessary to turn in the available car park space without
employing a banksman (this turning space is now used regularly
by visiting coaches). The Company confirmed that without
the removal of five car parking spaces they would be unable
to operate the bus to serve the harbour area. The CC agreed
to ask for this request to be re-considered, copy of the
letter to be sent to J F Munro. MSP. |
| g) |
Plockton Harbour
Association |
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The Harbour Association is now registered
as Plockton Harbour Community Interest Company. |
| h) |
Ward Forum Meetings |
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The Chairman and G R Webster had attended
this meeting at Kyle Village Hall, where the priority
for housing was discussed. Donald Kennedy, S&L Access
Officer, presented the Lochalsh portion of the Core Path
Plan. |
| i) |
Bonfire Night |
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it was agreed to write a letter of thanks
to Euan Cameron together with a donation. in appreciation
of the work carried out in connection with this event. |
| j) |
Path between Nos
26 & 27 Harbour Street |
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This work has been started. |
|
|
| a) |
There remains a need for a notice board
in the vicinity of Plockton Station.
Chairman to action. |
| b) |
With regard to Planning Applications, CIIr
Sinclair agreed to approach the Planning Department with
regard to the present situation whereby the CC no longer
generally receive Applications relating to this district.
It was noted that this also applies to Plockton Libra
rv |
|
|
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The next meeting of the Community Council
will be held on Monday, 10 March 2008, at 7.30pm in Plockton
Village Hall. |
| |
|
| Joy MacKenna |
544 280 |
| Geoff Webster |
" 283 |
| Charlie M MacRae |
" 359 |
| Morag MacKenzie |
" 204 |
| George Glasgow |
" 719 |
| Rhona Sharp |
" 426 |
| John MacDonald |
" 282 |
| Iain Matheson |
" 737 |
| Hazel Kennedy |
" 369 |
|
