A School at Delnies; now you see it, now you don't; now you see it...

Listed among the benefits which could be forthcoming from a new development at Delnies is the setting aside of land for a new primary school and the recommendation before the committee is that Planning Permission be granted subject a section 75 agreement - this agreement to include, 'The reservation of a site for a Primary School'.

Now, the preliminary concept masterplan (original layout June 2008) clearly shows an area 'Safeguarded' for a new primary school.

The preliminary concept masterplan (current layout Aug 2009) also shows an area (different arrangement perhaps) 'Safeguarded' for a new primary school.

Since then, with respect to the applicant's submission to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan - Proposed Plan consultation; whilst there is a recognition that the current concept masterplan - which forms part of their current extant planning application - includes an area of land for a future primary school, clarification of the word 'safeguarded' is provided in terms of the fact that this land was included in anticipation and support of the wider allocation of 2100 houses as per the A96 Corridor Framework. The applicants further clarify that if further land / house numbers were to be allocated to Delnies for the period 2021-2031 then there would be no objection to an area of land being reserved for a primary school.

However keen eyed observers may have noted the following statement in the appendix to the case officers report

Appendix 1 – Highland Wide Local Development Plan: Schedule 4 Submission

Original representations from White Young Green for Cawdor Maintenance Trust (325) and the Cawdor Farming No.1 Partnership (433) contained objection to the reservation of land for a Primary School, these have subsequently been withdrawn in letter dated 5 April 2011 (325) and by email of 27 April 2011 (433).

According to the council response in the Schedule 4 submission, the council appears to be maintaining its position with respect to the longer term allocation of housing:

With regard to longer term expansion of Delnies to the West, it is acknowledged that Delnies may have potential longer term but in light of the current need and demands assessment for the next 20 years, wider infrastructure requirements and community concerns over development to the west at mains issues stage, the council is minded not to change its position. It should be noted that the A96 Corridor Framework remains in place as non-statutory supplementary guidance, and later phases of development will be viewed in this context.

So a change of heart or circumstance perhaps on the part of the applicant perhaps?