'West Link', 'Option 6', now a key political issue.

Well, it is in black and white, 'Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth' is identified in the 'Draft' (doubling as a 'Main Issues Report') for the 'Third National Planning Framework' as being an 'Area of Coordinated Action'.

What does this mean?  Well according to the introductory paragraph in Chapter 6 of Draft NPF3:

...NPF2 set out regional spatial perspectives to guide implementation of the national strategy in different parts of Scotland.  NPF3 will develop this further by focussing on areas where major change is happening or anticipated in different parts of the country. These areas were identified in NPF2, but the narrative surrounding them has been updated to reflect the newly emerging spatial strategy. The following paragraphs summarise main issues for each of these areas. They will be developed further in the Proposed Framework.

Full Document here

So, what is reflected in the, '...newly emerging spatial strategy' for Inverness?  

What 'key issues' have been singled out?  

Amongst the 5 'issues' called out, this, was the one that caught my eye 

...Recognition of the role of Inverness as the Highland capital, and the key developments, 

such as the West Link, that will support this in the future. (APTSec highlight)

What is so special about the 'West Wink' I hear you ask?  What about other transport improvements in NPF3?  

Well, NPF3 identifies the need for airport improvements - including Inverness Airport.  Then, there is some general discussion around railway improvements  (mentions Highland mainline and Aberdeen to Inverness line) and road transport (A9 and A96 dualling) and there is mention of various Ports around the country (Ardersier and Nigg locally).

There doesn't seem to be any specific mention of a 'Nairn Bypass' or of completion of the 'eastern' end of the TLR around the Inverness Campus.

But what about the 'West Link'?

Well THC's PED Committee 'highlighted' the 'West Link' for inclusion in NPF3 (Link to Report here, third page) back in November 2012 alongside some other areas previously included in NPF2.   Surprisingly, in the Committee Report, there is no specific mention a bypass for Nairn or of completion of the eastern end of the TLR in terms of what THC was putting forward for inclusion in NPF3.  The submission was duly made to the Scottish Government.  

The Highland Council had already confirmed the 'preferred' route for the Inverness 'West Link' Road as being 'Option 6' back in March 2012.

It is difficult not to conclude that Highland Council will now be pulling out all the stops to get Option 6 of the 'West Link' through planning as easily and efficiently as possible, and inclusion in the Third National Planning Framework of the term 'West Link', in my view, will certainly aid that purpose.

In the Words of the Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning:

"...The National Planning Framework is a long-term strategy for the spatial development of Scotland...This is an important document, one that will influence development plans across the country and provide leadership to deliver change...By providing a clear vision, it should also be a document that is used to guide future development and decisions..."

The newly published 'Scottish Planning Policy; Consultation Draft' states that the NPF:


"...provides a statutory framework for Scotland’s long-term spatial development. The NPF sets out the Scottish Government’s spatial development priorities for the next 20 to 30 years..."

IT IS THEREFORE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WITH A VIEW MAKE IT KNOWN THROUGH THE CONSULTATION ON NPF3 AND SEEK CLARITY ON THE ISSUE OF A 'WEST LINK'.  

Note: No where is the term 'bypass' used.