Plans Lodged for £70 million Leisure led Development at Nairn

An outline planning application to invest up to £70 million in the transformation of land on the western edge of Nairn, bringing hundreds of jobs to the local community, was today (Tuesday 10th June 2008) lodged with Highland Council.

The proposed concept masterplan for a mixed-use development at Delnies, was lodged by the Cawdor Maintenance Trust and aims to help the former Victorian spa resort of Nairn reclaim its title as the 'Brighton of the North'.

The masterplan includes the redevelopment of existing farm steadings at Delnies which will provide the focus for three tourist related developments, including an 18-hole championship golf course.

The proposed development comprises:

• Tourism and Heritage Centre at Easter Delnies;
• Equestrian Centre at Wester Delnies;
• Hotel, spa and conference facilities at Hilton of Delnies;
• 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, academy and driving range;
• Ecological centre with associated bird watching hides and car parking;
• Community woodland;
• An integrated public footpath and cycleway network;
• Structured landscaping scheme;
• Up to 300 houses; and,
• Associated access and infrastructural works

It is estimated that in total the project is likely to create over 525 jobs, with many of these, including those in construction and services, expected to be filled by people local to the area. The value to the economy is estimated to be a planned capital investment of £70m over the period of its construction. Should the proposals be approved, work on site will likely commence in early 2010.

A sensitively developed residential element of up to 300 houses of mixed design, type and tenure, including 25% affordable housing, will 'enable' the tourist and community based projects to be developed elsewhere on the site. The policy principle of 'enabling' development, with the residential element cross-subsidising the other aspects of the development, is well established in Scotland. In this respect a robust, independent financial viability assessment of the proposals has been carried out and the 300 proposed housing units represents the minimum required to 'cross fund' the tourist and community facilities which form a key part of the vision for this part of Nairn. Although a large proportion of the proposed housing is not allocated in the current adopted Local Plan, it forms part of an area designated for future housing development in the A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework Plan.

An extensive community engagement exercise has been undertaken to promote and discuss the proposals. This included a week-long exhibition in the new Nairn Community Centre in November 2007 manned by members of the project team for 3 days, together with a number of meetings with local Community Councils and the adjoining Nairn Golf Club. Letters of invitation and information leaflets were distributed to a wide range of stakeholders prior to the event and a significant number of people (approx. 500) attended the exhibition. Extensive consultation has since taken place with key stakeholders and community representatives including Nairn Golf Club following this exercise.

The development is taking place within the context of Highland Council's Development Plan and the A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework Plan. Implementation of these proposals will not prejudice the future planning of Nairn, but act as a catalyst for the delivery of future plans and more short term community benefits and facilities.

Alan Farningham, lead consultant on the project and Director of Planning with the Farningham McCreadie Partnership part of the White Young Green Group Plc, said:

"Nairn is a place without comparison in the Moray Firth area, and through these proposals, the Cawdor Maintenance Trust aim to invigorate Nairn by providing for improved tourist, leisure and community facilities".

"The strategy throughout the community engagement exercise undertaken was to ensure that all the key parties involved and the general public had the opportunity to feed into the process, and we have taken this input into account in developing a proposal that Nairn can be proud of".

"This planned development is important for the ongoing and future economic development of Nairn and the Highlands, and will make a major contribution to the local economy and community."

The public will be able to view the proposed plans at the local Highland Council planning office in Nairn.