Glen Urquhart Community Council

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Glen Urquhart Community Council 

Minutes of meeting held on 

Monday 28th October at 7pm 

Blairbeg Hall, Drumnadrochit

Please note: Minutes will be updated when officially approved at the next meeting.

1. Present:, Bill Smart, Iain Riddle Dominic Thierry, Stuart Ross, David Fraser (Councillor)

Also present: 4 members of the public.  

Apologies:  Stuart Ross, Mary Tiles, Chris Ballance (Councillor)

Conflicts of Interest 

No conflicts of interest in relation to planning applications declared. 

2. Minutes of last meeting – 23rd September 2024

The minute of the meeting held on 23rd September 2024 was approved as an accurate record (David Ferguson / Iain Riddle).

3. Matters arising from minutes 

- Quiet Roads – Ongoing .  Bunloit and  Dhivach Falls Road. Bill confirmed spoken to HRC results of trial in Skye will be available in November. After that quiet road to be looked at in other areas.  Action – Bill

- Why Not Scotland Screening – To follow up/Ongoing ACTION – Dianne Fraser.

4. Treasurer’s Report

David Ferguson provided the following update in advance of the meeting:

Noted communication from BOS about changing bank account to Community bank account and monthly charge of £4.75 per month.    
ACTION – to raise at Community Council Forum to confirm what other neighbouring community councils. ACTION – Bill

5. Roads / Drainage

Following list of issues noted continue to raise/monitor with Highland Council    
ACTION : David Fraser/Bill Smart

- Flooding at fire station.  Noted assessment had been completed.  Monitoring ongoing.  ACTION – David noted following up with Transport Scotland on soakaway sites

- Blocked soak-away at bottom of Pitkerrald Road.  Noted David Fraser already reported and in progress.

- Drains on Culnakirk and branches on Culnakirk.  Sight lines from Culnakirk to A831 – concerns about tour coaches using the junction. Already reported.  ACTION – Bill to follow up

- A831 at Strathnacro – number of concealed entrances - need warning signs.

- East Lewiston flashing signs require repair.  To review safety measures on junction with A82. On going

- Large pothole/divot on Bunloit road – noted that could deteriorate over winter and create safety concern for gritter driver and other road uses.  ACTION – Bill to follow up

- Poor condition of Gartally road – to note for HC to assess after completion of Scottish Water works.

- Large hole appearing at gully in Milton- Dominic to send photograph to Bill

- Give way signs outside shop – ACTION – Bill to follow up

- 20mph – follow up on enforcement of speed limits and calming measures. ACTION – Bill

- Bridge closures on A831.  4 November complete Polmaily Bridge – timed access to support resurfacing  over that night (with timed access)

 Drumnadrochit Bridge (A82) – trees overgrown at Bear Scotland – ACTION -  follow up Ken Hossack / David Fraser / Fiona to raise with Bear Scotland

Following list of issues noted continue to raise/monitor with Bear Scotland and A82 Safety Lobbying Group.

- Flooding at bottom of Lewiston / near junction with A82 on Loch Ness Inn side.  Ongoing discussions with Bear Scotland.  

- A82/Bunloit junction – overgrown trees impacting sightlines and safety at junction.

- Deep ruts outside brae heading to Clansman from Drumnadrochit.  

- Pedestrian safety on Drum Bridge.  Noted that when working in forestry, pedestrians can’t be within 12 metres of logging trucks – on Drum Bridge, pedestrians are shoulder to wheel with large lorries.

- David meeting with Transport Scotland safety team next week – ACTION – Bill / David

- Manhole cover at Springfield site.  Sent further follow up with Springfield Awaiting response from Springfield – ACTION – David / Dianne

- To note and share Beats Newsletter going forward – ACTION : Dianne / Bill

- Follow up on Accident statistics for Lobby Group – ACTION : Bill

Followed up / chased up for further meeting following recent accident at Clansman.
ACTION : David Fraser / Bill Smart

6. Planning 

Active Applications 

24/01837/FUL – Erection of house, Land 95M West Of Eastwood, Incheachart, Glenurquhart, Drumnadrochit.  Related to PIP from 2020 (20/03633/PIP) that GUCC objected to due to public access rights soakaway and wildlife impact to be addressed.  HC approved 2020 application with number of conditions. ACTION – Iain - to respond to planners and note concerns over alignment with 2020 planning conditions.  

24/03842/FUL - Siting of portacabin and containers and installation of heat pump for Glen Urquhart Men’s Shed.  Forestry Commission Office, Balnain. ACTION – Iain to respond with letter of support.  
Noted that sale of land to community not yet confirmed.  Expected early 2025. No further planning expected after sale.

24/04274/FUL 10 apartments at Loch Ness Lodge Hotel – Noted separate from earlier approved application for chalets/pods in trees.  Noted

Cnoc Forasch Wind Farm – Scoping Report commentary – 225m high x turbines – ACTION – Bill

Springfield

Reporter confirmed appeal/amended application with 28 conditions.  CC wrote to HC to confirm if conditions are being met.  Specifically – development cannot continue until servicing of commercial land completed.  HC response.  
ACTION : Iain / Bill to follow up with Scottish Reporter on definition of ‘delivery’ and Springfield interpretation of delivery.  Reply to David Muddie and ask if HC not signed off – why is building progressing and note disappointment at level of work progressing without final sign off.

Springfield application for sales cabin – 9 October – to follow up / respond.  ACTION : Iain to respond confirm potential delay on sale of commercial and complete landscaping and note it is a retrospective application.

Glen Earrach Pumped Storage

Pre-application made.  Public Consultation ongoing.

Follow up to lobby Scottish Government for funding to assist in assessing applications.  ACTION : Bill / Dianne  

Establishment of Social Value Charter for Renewable Investment – working group to be established with community councils from Ward 12.  ACTION – Dianne / Bill

7. Local Place Plan Update

Copy of the plan on the CC website.  Plan has been circulated to neighbouring CC's and Ward 12 councillors.  Confirmed to be submitted to HC.

Noted that Fort Augustus had shared their Local Place Plan for note and comment – similar themes /issues to Glen Urquhart.

8. Consultations

Cnoc Farsach Wind farm – due 19 Nov

Ballach Windfarm – Scoping request noted.   36 turbines of 200m and 230m, 6260m NE of Erchless Forest Cottage, Struy, Beauly.  To note potential impact on access roads.  

Noted that as more windfarms come online, constraint payments for non-operation of windfarms will increase – impacting individuals standing charges.  Question over how can CC note / comment on this.  HC have no comment – can only comment on planning applications.  ACTION – Bill / Iain to follow up with Angus Macdonald and Kate Forbes.  

9. AOB

Inverness Community Council Forum  - chaired by Bill.  Items to note

Inverness Community Council Forum  - chaired by Bill.  Items to note

o Police Scotland applied for two community constables to cover area – based in Inverness will cover in pairs.  Will include speed enforcement.  

o Neighbourhood Alert – send out details on Facebook page

o Inverness Strategy update – Ewan Macintosh provided update.  Will be holding upcoming public meetings.

o HC looking at options for new route from Raigmore to A96.

o Academy Street – as proposed will not proceed.  Will continue to review options and potentially consult with communities in future.

Bus timetables – poor information available on bus timetables.  Issues with Citilink buses not stopping as required – ACTION Bill – Report David Summers (HC) and report to Citilink.  Bill

Public Participation Group Public Meeting – upcoming on 12 November at Craigmonie Centre.

Etape – date noted for next year 27 April 2025.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm

Meeting dates for 2024 / 2025

all meetings commence at 7pm

Monday 25th November Craigmonie Centre 

December   no meeting 

Monday January 27th  Craigmonie Centre

Monday February 24th Balnain Hall

Monday March 24th  Blairbeg Hall Meeting Room

Monday April 28th  Craigmonie Centre

Monday May 26th  Balnain Hall

Monday June 23rd (AGM) Blairbeg Hall

July     No meeting

Monday August 25th  Craigmonie Centre

Monday Sept 22nd   Balnain Hall

Monday October 27th  Blairbeg Hall

Monday November 24th  Craigmonie Centre

December   No meeting

Action List