Some more views just in

Another view on the MIR sent in by an APT member in Nairn

"The draft fails to identify, or offer answers to, many of the fundamental questions which need to be considered in drawing up a plan for the development of the Highlands over the next 20-40 years. For example:

Economic Growth

The draft is near-silent on the strategic priorities for economic growth and on, for example, the sectoral breakdown and balance (public/private, SMEs, etc – other than passing references to small rural businesses and the role of crofting). Unless this is squarely addressed, issues of population, housing, energy and resource-management cannot realistically be considered.

Considerable attention is focused in the draft report on how to identify substantial amounts of land-for-housing, without clear indications of how this links to employment and economic activity.

Population

Both the population projections and the housing needs deserve critical scrutiny. At present, the figures for presumed growth simply do not add up. They bear little relation to nationally-endorsed GROS estimates. The aspirational figures for the A96 (Inverness-Nairn) corridor are unrealistic and unacceptable: if implemented, the proposed strategy will exacerbate the existing developmental imbalance within the region.

Land-use priorities

The draft plan appears to believe it is possible to have cake and eat it. The draft sets out ambitious goals for urban development and residential expansion. At the same time, it refers at length to the safeguarding and utilisation of existing natural assets and the environment (agriculture/crofting, fishing, tourism, recreation/amenities, and related service industries). There is no recognition of the potential conflict between these objectives; indeed there seems to be a presumption in favour of development (e.g. prime agricultural land can be developed “if essential… for settlement strategy or necessary to meet an established need”). This tension is illustrated by, and is most acute in, the case of the A96 corridor, where development proposals are concentrated in a coastal zone which is one of the most agriculturally-productive, environmentally-important, and tourism-focused parts of the region.

Infrastructure

There is no evidence of a proactive strategy to shape the infrastructure (notably road and rail, but also water and energy networks) in a way which will influence the pattern of development across the region. There is a transport strategy for Inverness (only). There are map-symbols showing “Active Travel Masterplan locations” elsewhere, with no explanation of what these represent. The draft says little on water supply and drainage, and says nothing substantive about hydro-power (but plenty about windfarms and marine renewables!).

Integrated planning

There is some reference to southward transport links, but despite the mention of the strategic transport routes identified in the NPF2, the draft MIR seems to think the known world stops just beyond Auldearn and that there is neither need nor opportunity to look, or link, eastwards from the Highland region. A coherent development plan would identify common objectives and scope for coordination and integration with the neighbouring regions. This is particularly relevant in terms of the Moray Firth coast, and perhaps also the Lochaber/Argyll area. Similarly, the relationship between the plan for the Highlands, and the planning and development of the Cairngorm National Park (which overlaps with Highland region) is unclear."