Glen Urquhart Community Council



Glen Urquhart Community Council 


Minutes of meeting held on 

Monday 23rd September 2024 at 7pm 

Balnain Hall, Balnain



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), Chris Ballance (Councillor)

Also present: 4 members of the public.  

Apologies:  Dianne Fraser, Fiona Urquhart,Mary Tiles

Conflicts of Interest 

No conflicts of interest in relation to planning applications declared. 

2. Minutes of last meeting – 26th August 2024

The minute of the meeting held on 26th August 2024 was approved as an accurate record (Dominic Thierry / David Ferguson).

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 roads to be looked at in other areas.  Action – Bill

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

- Food Waste collection Dianne  contacted HRC they confirmed they had a few teething problems, now resolved.

4. Treasurer’s Report

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

Closing balance from August 2024 Meeting £4,232.06

27th August received £2,400 from Soirbheas - £2,400.00

29th Aug £2400 paid to SKS Place Planning - £2,400.00

2nd Sept paid Dianne Fraser £219 printing for Place Planning - £219.00

9th September rec'd £638.51 HC annual grant £638.51

New Closing Balance for August £4,651.57

Noted balance split:  

Funds reserved for Local Place Planning £2,538.56

General Community Council funds £2,113.06

 £4,651.57

If ring fenced money is not all used then it was discussed that another use for the money should be found for any surplus. The Ward Manager should be consulted.

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.

- 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 BS 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. BS 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 BS

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

ACTION : David Fraser / Bill Smart

- 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.

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

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

- Concerns over safety of junction outside shop – road users assume all traffic going into shop, and not aware of increased road traffic to housing.  Follow up on give way sign and road markings at junction outside shop to ensure clearly marked.  Bill confirmed had met with Compass and had looked at Junction. It's not a Compass problem. There are give way signs and it is drivers probably local who by habit are not giving way. The road markings do need refreshing to be more distinct.  ACTION : Bill

- Also discussed that there have been near misses in the Scot Mid car park
the road markings are indistinct to show the one way flow. More signage and clear road markings required in the car park. ACTION : Iain

6. Planning 

Active Applications GUCC Planning September 2024

Ref Number 24/03371/FUL Application Type Full Application

Validation Date 09/08/2024 Grid Reference 241405 830180

Expiry Date for lodging Representations 13/09/2024

Description of Works Installation of Pipe Bridge

Location of Works Land 15M SW Of Bearnock Cottage, Glenurquhart, Drumnadrochit, ,

Community Council Glenurquhart Community Council

Applicant Name Scottish Water

Applicant Address Scottish Water Fairmilehead, 55 Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh, EH106XH

Case Officer Ross Mcateer

Ross.Mcateer7@highland.gov.uk

Noted

Ref Number 24/03513/PNO Application Type Prior Notifications - others

Validation Date 17/08/2024 Grid Reference 244565 830247

Expiry Date for lodging Representations 07/09/2024

Description of Works Erection of greenhouse and agricultural storage building

Location of Works Land 65M SE Of, Meiklie Farm, Balnain, Drumnadrochit, ,

Community Council Glenurquhart Community Council

Applicant Name Mr Neill Hunter

Applicant Address 11 Midton Road, Ayr, KA7 2SE,

Case Officer Luna Sikkens

luna.sikkens@highland.gov.uk

Earth-ship inspired greenhouse and store to be built using reclaimed materials.

Owner of land says this is first stage of a not-for-profit food growing initiative.

Compass Development

Path now has a smooth surface. Bill Smart and Gurka met with Compass on the 2oth September on site for an update. All of housing association house are finished. Play Park almost complete and landscaped. Paths should be open in next few weeks. Path through to woodland location agreed. Care centre and house owners were not happy about a link through to the Care Centre houses.

Chrathaich Wind Farm

Objection has been lodged with the ECU

Glen Earrach Pumped Storage

Nothing to report

From August Meeting :-Concerns that no requirement for developers to make community contributions.

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

Carn Na Saobhaidh Wind Farm

A consultation from HRC for the EIA scoping for this proposed wind farm on the South Side of Loch Ness  has been received. It will infill between two existing wind farms and will be visible from Bunloit and the A82. The mast are also taller than existing at 200m to tip.

Concern was expressed over the number of Energy infrastructure projects proposed in the area. The effect on communities and the road network. David Fraser confirmed that Councillor Helen Crawford has persuaded the planners to draw up a map showing all the existing and proposed projects for reference.

It was noted that there is still reluctance for 3D virtual models to be developed to show the impact of these projects. DF confirmed that models were shown to the planning committee.

CC to respond on community concerns on this. ACTION:-Bill

Clunemore Felling

Consultation received from forester contractor relating to clear felling adjacent to Clunmore. Concerns expressed over possible damage to saplings on proposed access to the area.

CC to contact contractor ACTION :- Iain

7. Local Place Plan Update

Link to a copy of the plan on the CC website. Plan has been circulated to neighbouring CC's and Ward 12 councillors  On track for filing with Highland Council for September 27.  

8. 20mph Speed Limits

Trunk Road

20 mph now confirmed recent marking on the road. Other calming measures may be implemented i.e. radar signs.

HRC

Concern that new speed limits need to be enforced, signs need to be more visible and request additional speed calming measures to ensure adhered to.  ACTION : Bill to follow up with 20mph team / Sara Hamilton.

9. AOCB 

Snowman Rally

Mark Forsyth was not present at the meeting. Concern expressed about the state of the track after the rally above Shenval noted.

From previous meeting:- Noted amended date of 12th October 2024 and change to location away from Balnain to Shenval only.  Concerns over if Shenval is going to be large enough and potential issues of access to wet fields.  Mark Forsyth to attend next CC meeting.  To provide Mark with contact details of Donald Grant and request he liaise directly with Donald.

ACTION : Dianne (Confirmed?)

Glen Affric Kintail Way

Local concern over damage to the route with recent timber operations very muddy and waterlogged. David Ferguson to provide a contact number for FLS to the local resident who raised the matter. ACTION David Ferguson.

Community Benefit from Drumnadrochit Car Park – Share of funds raised from car park in 2022/2023 available for distribution.  Councillors to confirm process for interested groups / parties to apply.  ACTION : David Fraser

Lights on Urquhart Castle – question over why lights are turned off on Urquhart Castle at night. ACTION SUSAN GRIFFEN to  follow up with HES

Bunloit Rewilding – Meeting called by GURCA Blairbeg Hall Wednesday 25th 8pm to discuss sell off/community buy out.

Community Connect Events – Cannich Sat 5th Oct / Drumnadrochit 12th October (10am to 1pm) – event hosted by Soirbheas for all community groups to share group activities.  Requested stall for GUCC.  Will seek volunteers to man stall.

Broadband

Broadband concern and frustration over lack of Broadband availability around the Glen and poor response from companies to the problems.

Community Broadband -Confirm details on speeds and work remediation/

monitoring. Ongoing ACTION :- Dianne

Deer Culling Bunloit

Resident on Bunloit have concerns over deer culling on the Bunloit Rewilding Estate at night and off Season. Many people and visitors are out walking in the area and there are concerns over the lack of notification and signage of when this is being carried out. The contact was provided for the Estate Manager Alexander Davis. CC to contact AD. Alex.davies@highlandswilding.co.uk. ACTION Iain

Secretary vacancy – noted still seeking new person for GUCC secretary.  

10. Details of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 28th October  2024, 7pm at Blairbeg Hall, Drumnadrochit.

Bill thanked everyone for their attendance  

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 8.30pm. 

Meeting dates for 2024

all meetings commence at 7pm

Monday 28th October Blairbeg Hall 

Monday 25th November Craigmonie Centre 

December   no meeting 

Action List