Glen Urquhart Community Council


1. Present: Pam Lucas (Chairman), David Fraser, Fiona Urquhart (Planning Secretary), Peter Macdonald, Ken Fraser, John Duncan, and Val Cooper (Secretary)


Also present: Councillor Margaret Davidson, PC Ryan McGill, Police Scotland, and 3 members of the public.  


Apologies: Stuart Ross, Councillors Helen Carmichael, Hamish Wood and Jean Davis, and Gillian Skinner.


2. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 24th October 2016 were adopted as a correct record (Ken Fraser / John Duncan)


3. Matters arising from minutes

No items not already covered by the agenda.


4. Treasurer’s Report

Peter Macdonald advised that the balance currently stands at £2501.84, since the last meeting payments had been made for room rental, website renewal and Chair’s computer supplies.  


5. Policing Update

Members were pleased to welcome PC Ryan McGill, the new officer appointed to the Fort Augustus office and with responsibility for the Drumnadrochit area.  The following report was noted:

Road Safety – There have been no serious accidents and 2 minor road traffic collisions, and 9 reports of poor driver behaviour.  7 Fixed penalty tickets have been issued.

Public Protection – There have been 5 public protection matters.

Drugs / Alcohol Misuse – There has been 1 report of drug misuse.

Crimes of Dishonesty – There have been no crimes of dishonesty.

During the period there were 4 incidents of disorder, 1 neighbour dispute and 2 non reportable fires with once incident of fire raising.

PC McGill advised that he had undertaken a number of visits to the local schools and to licensed premises and local businesses, he would continue to visit local organisations and was happy to provide information sessions to any groups who might wish further information and liaison.  It was also noted that the issue of noise and littering around the village had been raised at a recent GUHS assembly, and regular patrols had been made of the shinty pavilion.  GUCC thanked PC McGill for his visit and looked forward to seeing him at future meetings.


6.  Renewables

Cnoc an Eas - Pam Lucas advised that public enquiry meetings for the Blairmore and Cnoc an Eas Wind Farms were scheduled to take place at the Craigmonie Centre on Wednesday 14th December at 10am and 2pm respectively.  David Fraser and John Duncan had agreed to be GUCC spokespersons for the Cnoc an Eas enquiry.  It was noted that STAG would be represented by solicitor Ian Kelly at the enquiry.  Margaret Davidson advised that the Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance had now been adopted and would be taken into account in any decision making process.  The guidance can be found at https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/981/onshore_wind_energy_interim_supplementary_guidance

Hydro Schemes – There had been very little activity at the Shenval site over the past 2-3 weeks, however work was continuing at the Coiltie site.


7. Loch Ness Homes

It was noted that the site for the new Pharmacy had been agreed and this would include construction of a roundabout on the A82, this development has an anticipated completion date of January 2019.


8. Supported Housing

It was noted that the planning application was currently being progressed, completion of the development was expected by Spring 2018.  Some informal applications and notes of interest had already been received but the process for allocation of houses was yet to be agreed.  It was noted that the Building Warrant application could be submitted through GUCC in due course.


9. Planning Applications

16/04767/FUL – Erection of 12no amenity dwellings with associated parking, landscaping, services and formation of access, Land SW of Glenurquhart Centre, 31 Coiltie Crescent, Drumnadrochit – noted.  

16/04576/PIP – Erection of dwelling Land East of Sonas, Balnain, Glenurquhart – letter sent to planning department regarding need for upgrade of upper section of Torcroft road.

16//04725/PNO – Prior notification for Farm-related building works (non-residential), Clunemore, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XW – noted.

16/05168/PNO – General agricultural shed. Storage and housing livestock. Drumclune Farm, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XS – noted.


10. Correspondence

-  SNH magazine – passed to Peter Macdonald.

-  Proposed changes to bus timetables – It was noted that there were very few changes to the local timetable, and John Duncan had responded requesting that the 17a Tomich service be listed both on the timetable and on the front of the bus.

- Commission on Highland Democracy Policy Document – members of the GUCC were encouraged to respond on an individual basis.


11. Any Other Business

Chamber of Commerce – It was noted that Frances Colburn had been appointed as the new Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, and GUCC looked forward to working with her in the future.

Woodland Trust Meeting – Margaret Davidson advised that she would be meeting with the Woodland Trust next week to discuss progress for the works to the breach in the bund at Kilmore and repairs to the footpath in the cover.  It was noted that flooding issues at Balmacaan should also be discussed.

Historic Environment Scotland – Margaret Davidson advised that she would  be meeting with HES to discuss the traffic / parking issues at Urquhart Castle and the Clansman Hotel.  

SEPA – Ken Fraser advised that SEPA were currently making changes to the regulations regarding river bank repairs and rock armour support.

Education Governance   - Peter Macdonald advised that he had attended the recent meeting regarding devolution of governance responsibility to Head Teachers.


12. Details of Next Meeting

The next meetings for GUCC were scheduled as follows, all at 8.00pm:


Monday 23rd January Craigmonie Centre

Monday 27th February Balnain Hall

Monday 27th March  Blairbeg Hall

Monday 24th April  Craigmonie Centre

Monday 22nd May  Balnain Hall

Monday 26th June  Blairbeg Hall

July    no meeting

Monday 28th August Craigmonie Centre

Monday 25th September  Balnain Hall

Monday 23rd October Blairbeg Hall

Monday 27th November Craigmonie Centre

December    no meeting


There was no further business and Pam Lucas wished members all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.  The meeting closed at 9.15pm.  




Glen Urquhart Community Council


Minute of Meeting held on

Monday 28th November 2016 at 8.00pm

in the Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit