The pros and cons of using renewables; where do we find simple, straightforward information?
Take wind power for instance; what do you feel about that?
APTSec read that on one weekend in November 2009, high winds supplied 53% of Spain's electricity
Here are a few links to some otherrecent items on the net:
An interesting piece by Maltese Politician, Dr Pullicino Orlando
If you like your figures then this item by the BBC's 'Ethical Man' may shed some light
An item from 'Oregon Environmental News'
If you like all things 'green' then try this page on wind farms on a site named 'Web Ecoist'
Can you recommend any interesting information or sites?
How important is location?
APTSec is keen to hear your views.
Sunday 27 December 2009
Sunday 20 December 2009
Warning, Warning! What is the point of Local Plan?
Over the last few years something that APTSec has become increasingly concerned about is, why do we have development plans?
Look at the Inverness Local Plan (ILP) for instance.
A draft of this plan was put out to a statutory period of 12 weeks of public consultation in 2001 and the draft garnered - so councillors were officially told in 2002 - some 800 responses covering 2000 issues. By 2003 the ILP was at 'Draft Deposit with Modifications' stage and the ILP was examined subsequently by Public Inquiry (April to July 2004). The ILP wasn't adopted until March 2006.
However sometime during this period of statutory consultation ideas were emerging through the Inverness City Vision, for the A96 Corridor in particular.
This non-statutory 2003 City Vision document is the only document that I have found which mentions the vast rate of growth planned for the area to the East of Inverness - 30,000 people to reside in a 'series of new communities'. Both the Highland Structure Plan and the Inverness Local Plan do mention the A96 Corridor, but not this level of growth and I would suggest to the reader that they do their own 'compare and contrast' exercise to see just what each of these documents say with respect to the A96 Corridor. (APTSec has already posted a few times on this blog regarding the details in these documents). There is certainly no clear signal in the ILP that there was an intention to prepare a master plan for the whole corridor; very specific detail as to the preparation of a master plan for the airport (click here and go to page 54) is shown in the ILP, but not for the Corridor.
The point here is that we now have a situation where a piece of non-statutory, so called 'supplementary guidance', the A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework' contains a central premise - that of a new town - which the applicants say the council decided to support in December 2004; that decision is now 5 years old! It certainly appears that the existing Adopted, 'been through a full Public Inquiry', ILP, had barely been examined by the Official Reporter in 2004 before it was "off with the statutory old' and 'on with the non-statutory new'
The non-statutory plan for the A96 now appears to form the bedrock for what is to become the latest proposed plan for Inverness and Nairn; I cannot believe that the new financial circumstances that the world finds itself in will not have an impact on the hugely unrealistic major development proposals for the A96 Corridor.
APTSec now has serious concerns that all the work and effort that has been put in over the last few years will come to nothing if we do not continue to press our case. Under the new Planning Act we are supposed to take an active interest in the planning system and take an active interest in development plans and their relationship to planning applications. It seems that what has emerged is that we were being invited onto a pitch in shabby kit and asked to play with our hands and feet tied. Now it seems that authorities, government and agencies are playing a different game altogether, and have left us to shamble around on the pitch
Look at the Inverness Local Plan (ILP) for instance.
A draft of this plan was put out to a statutory period of 12 weeks of public consultation in 2001 and the draft garnered - so councillors were officially told in 2002 - some 800 responses covering 2000 issues. By 2003 the ILP was at 'Draft Deposit with Modifications' stage and the ILP was examined subsequently by Public Inquiry (April to July 2004). The ILP wasn't adopted until March 2006.
However sometime during this period of statutory consultation ideas were emerging through the Inverness City Vision, for the A96 Corridor in particular.
This non-statutory 2003 City Vision document is the only document that I have found which mentions the vast rate of growth planned for the area to the East of Inverness - 30,000 people to reside in a 'series of new communities'. Both the Highland Structure Plan and the Inverness Local Plan do mention the A96 Corridor, but not this level of growth and I would suggest to the reader that they do their own 'compare and contrast' exercise to see just what each of these documents say with respect to the A96 Corridor. (APTSec has already posted a few times on this blog regarding the details in these documents). There is certainly no clear signal in the ILP that there was an intention to prepare a master plan for the whole corridor; very specific detail as to the preparation of a master plan for the airport (click here and go to page 54) is shown in the ILP, but not for the Corridor.
The point here is that we now have a situation where a piece of non-statutory, so called 'supplementary guidance', the A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework' contains a central premise - that of a new town - which the applicants say the council decided to support in December 2004; that decision is now 5 years old! It certainly appears that the existing Adopted, 'been through a full Public Inquiry', ILP, had barely been examined by the Official Reporter in 2004 before it was "off with the statutory old' and 'on with the non-statutory new'
The non-statutory plan for the A96 now appears to form the bedrock for what is to become the latest proposed plan for Inverness and Nairn; I cannot believe that the new financial circumstances that the world finds itself in will not have an impact on the hugely unrealistic major development proposals for the A96 Corridor.
APTSec now has serious concerns that all the work and effort that has been put in over the last few years will come to nothing if we do not continue to press our case. Under the new Planning Act we are supposed to take an active interest in the planning system and take an active interest in development plans and their relationship to planning applications. It seems that what has emerged is that we were being invited onto a pitch in shabby kit and asked to play with our hands and feet tied. Now it seems that authorities, government and agencies are playing a different game altogether, and have left us to shamble around on the pitch
Saturday 19 December 2009
Private meetings and nosh.
Further to a recent post on the motion to open up ward business meetings to the public, the latest on THC web site states:
"The Highland Council has reaffirmed its policy of holding in private business meetings held between ward members and their ward manager and other council officials.
A motion proposing that Council meetings should start at 1 pm – instead of 10.30 am – to save the council money on providing meals for councillors was withdrawn.
During the discussion, Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Resources Committee, reported that a cross party working group of councillors was considering measures to ensure that members’ spending was as cost effective as possible. She said that catering was an area being examined to ensure value for money."
For full item click here
"The Highland Council has reaffirmed its policy of holding in private business meetings held between ward members and their ward manager and other council officials.
A motion proposing that Council meetings should start at 1 pm – instead of 10.30 am – to save the council money on providing meals for councillors was withdrawn.
During the discussion, Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Resources Committee, reported that a cross party working group of councillors was considering measures to ensure that members’ spending was as cost effective as possible. She said that catering was an area being examined to ensure value for money."
For full item click here
Friday 18 December 2009
So just what will it take to make a project viable?
The planning system is there to promote, facilitate and regulate development in the public interest. The impact of development, much of which is irreversible, on the lives of individuals and communities can be very significant depending on its nature, scale and location. The planning system is also primarily concerned with long term investment decisions.
Planning Daily notes today that:
"Concern over a lack of understanding of development economics has prompted property and planning organisations to commission research on better training..."
Extract:
"Councillors and other professionals involved in spatial planning need a better understanding of how developers deal with risk and return. Councillors often seek higher section 106 contributions, including affordable housing provision, than schemes can bear. Other professionals make belated requests for financial contributions or on-site provision of facilities in new developments without appreciating the impact this may have on the scheme's viability."
Whilst I appreciate that the English and the Scottish planning systems have their differences, I think we all need to become aware of the concept of development economics.
The Planning Advisory Service has a page on this
There is also a very interesting on line brochure from GVA Grimley
GVA Grimley has also prepared a 'Draft Guide on Development Viability' for the Scottish Government - Directorate for the Built Environment - (July 2009) which APTSec is about to print out and look over.
Planning Daily notes today that:
"Concern over a lack of understanding of development economics has prompted property and planning organisations to commission research on better training..."
Extract:
"Councillors and other professionals involved in spatial planning need a better understanding of how developers deal with risk and return. Councillors often seek higher section 106 contributions, including affordable housing provision, than schemes can bear. Other professionals make belated requests for financial contributions or on-site provision of facilities in new developments without appreciating the impact this may have on the scheme's viability."
Whilst I appreciate that the English and the Scottish planning systems have their differences, I think we all need to become aware of the concept of development economics.
The Planning Advisory Service has a page on this
There is also a very interesting on line brochure from GVA Grimley
GVA Grimley has also prepared a 'Draft Guide on Development Viability' for the Scottish Government - Directorate for the Built Environment - (July 2009) which APTSec is about to print out and look over.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Meetings, meetings,meetings...
Just in case keen eyed followers / visitors hadn't already spotted this:
Highland Council gives notice of meetings on its web site and produces a 12 month timetable of HQ meetings.
Visit the web page here
The HQ timetable can be found by clicking on the link under 'Current Documents' on the HC web page.
Highland Council gives notice of meetings on its web site and produces a 12 month timetable of HQ meetings.
Visit the web page here
The HQ timetable can be found by clicking on the link under 'Current Documents' on the HC web page.
More cost effective public information?
Extract:
The Scottish Government is consulting on changing the law to allow public notices, like planning applications or road closures, to be advertised online in place of newspapers.
The move will allow councils to use a new public information notices portal, saving millions of pounds and enhancing local information services about the area.
The consultation on the draft Local Authority Public Information Notices (Electronic Publication) (Scotland) Order is open until February 12, 2010.
For the rest of the item click here
APTSec is itching to hear your views
The Scottish Government is consulting on changing the law to allow public notices, like planning applications or road closures, to be advertised online in place of newspapers.
The move will allow councils to use a new public information notices portal, saving millions of pounds and enhancing local information services about the area.
The consultation on the draft Local Authority Public Information Notices (Electronic Publication) (Scotland) Order is open until February 12, 2010.
For the rest of the item click here
APTSec is itching to hear your views
The City Vision 2010
APTTreas has noticed that there is a 'new kid on the block'. The Highland Council's Inverness City Vision 2010 blog can be found here
Let us know what you think of the blog and its content
Let us know what you think of the blog and its content
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Quotes for this week:2
APTSec came across this quote recently in "Democracy, A Very Short Introduction" by Bernard Crick. (I confess to being guilty of buying books on politics and economics in my desperate attempt to determine a context for what is going on in planning)
"Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man's capacity for injustice makes democracy necessary"
[Reinhold Niebuhr]
"Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man's capacity for injustice makes democracy necessary"
[Reinhold Niebuhr]
Quotes for this week
I came across this thought provoking sentence in a power point presentation enititled 'Utopias' (viewed as an HTML here) which seems to have been given by Professor Anthony Pratkanis (University of California)
"The fundamental issue for a society is to create enough equality / responsibility to insure productivity but not so much as to create revolutions."
"The fundamental issue for a society is to create enough equality / responsibility to insure productivity but not so much as to create revolutions."
Confused about renewables:part 2
What do the following people have in common?
Tony Juniper
Former Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
Peter Ainsworth MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Sir David King FRS
Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, 2000–08
Lord Oxburgh KBE FRS
Former Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell
Chris Goodall
Author of Ten Technologies to Save the Planet
Prof Ian Fells CBE
Founder chairman of NaREC, the New and Renewable Energy Centre
Duncan McLaren
Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth Scotland
Prof Mike Ashby FRS
Author of Materials and the environment
Robert Sansom
Director of Strategy and Sustainable Development EDF Energy
Dr Derek Pooley CBE
Former Chief Scientist at the Department of Energy, Chief Executive of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Member of the European Union Advisory Group on Energy
Prof Robert Hinde CBE FRS FBA
Executive Committee, Pugwash UK
They have all read and given their views on the book,
'Sustainable Energy — without the hot air' by David Mackay.
David MacKay is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge. He says of his book, which was published in 2009:
"I didn’t write this book to make money. I wrote it because sustainable energy is important. If you would like to have the book for free for your own use, please help yourself: it’s on the internet at www.withouthotair.com. This is a free book in a second sense: you are free to use all the material in this book, except for the cartoons and the photos with a named photographer,
under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share- Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales Licence. (The cartoons and photos are excepted because the authors have generally given me permission only to include their work, not to share it under a Creative Commons license.) You are especially welcome to use my materials for educational purposes. My website includes separate high-quality files for each of the figures in the book."
I have reprinted these extracts from the following web page please click here
Tony Juniper
Former Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
Peter Ainsworth MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Sir David King FRS
Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, 2000–08
Lord Oxburgh KBE FRS
Former Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell
Chris Goodall
Author of Ten Technologies to Save the Planet
Prof Ian Fells CBE
Founder chairman of NaREC, the New and Renewable Energy Centre
Duncan McLaren
Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth Scotland
Prof Mike Ashby FRS
Author of Materials and the environment
Robert Sansom
Director of Strategy and Sustainable Development EDF Energy
Dr Derek Pooley CBE
Former Chief Scientist at the Department of Energy, Chief Executive of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Member of the European Union Advisory Group on Energy
Prof Robert Hinde CBE FRS FBA
Executive Committee, Pugwash UK
They have all read and given their views on the book,
'Sustainable Energy — without the hot air' by David Mackay.
David MacKay is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge. He says of his book, which was published in 2009:
"I didn’t write this book to make money. I wrote it because sustainable energy is important. If you would like to have the book for free for your own use, please help yourself: it’s on the internet at www.withouthotair.com. This is a free book in a second sense: you are free to use all the material in this book, except for the cartoons and the photos with a named photographer,
under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share- Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales Licence. (The cartoons and photos are excepted because the authors have generally given me permission only to include their work, not to share it under a Creative Commons license.) You are especially welcome to use my materials for educational purposes. My website includes separate high-quality files for each of the figures in the book."
I have reprinted these extracts from the following web page please click here
All I want for Christmas
APTSec has been thinking about what she would like on her Christmas 'planning' list and for those who feel so inclined what I need most is help and support.
Could you just keep an eye out in the press (notices for any major planning applications in Highland especially) and on the Council and Government web sites for any planning related info and most particularly keep in touch with the HwLDP blog which can be found here
Given that in the last post on the HwLDP blog the DP Team states:
"The Development Plans Team are currently going over all of the responses to the main issues report. When we are doing this we are summarising and pulling out key points made, which topics have been responded to and how we will deal with each response.
In some cases we will simply be addressing the points when we bring forward the proposed plan, in other cases we may need further information from the respondent to be able to fully address their response or have a meeting with the respondent to discuss through their response. We will be holding these meetings early 2010 and we will be posting a brief summary of these meetings online..."
Then we all need to keep as up to speed as we can.
The sequential nature of the decision making process in the planning system and Highland Council's desire to use supplementary guidance as a means to further the progress of plans requires that we should not take our eyes off the ball for even one moment. A single pair of eyes can get quite tired, but lots of eyes reading and evaluating and discussing and scrutinising and sharing views on the implications of what is read can only be a good thing for all Highland Communities.
Thank you and please do feel free to keep in touch with me.
Could you just keep an eye out in the press (notices for any major planning applications in Highland especially) and on the Council and Government web sites for any planning related info and most particularly keep in touch with the HwLDP blog which can be found here
Given that in the last post on the HwLDP blog the DP Team states:
"The Development Plans Team are currently going over all of the responses to the main issues report. When we are doing this we are summarising and pulling out key points made, which topics have been responded to and how we will deal with each response.
In some cases we will simply be addressing the points when we bring forward the proposed plan, in other cases we may need further information from the respondent to be able to fully address their response or have a meeting with the respondent to discuss through their response. We will be holding these meetings early 2010 and we will be posting a brief summary of these meetings online..."
Then we all need to keep as up to speed as we can.
The sequential nature of the decision making process in the planning system and Highland Council's desire to use supplementary guidance as a means to further the progress of plans requires that we should not take our eyes off the ball for even one moment. A single pair of eyes can get quite tired, but lots of eyes reading and evaluating and discussing and scrutinising and sharing views on the implications of what is read can only be a good thing for all Highland Communities.
Thank you and please do feel free to keep in touch with me.
For your interest
A meeting of The Highland Council will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 17 December 2009 at 10.30am
Extract:
9. Notices of Motion
Extract:
9. Notices of Motion
The following Notices of Motion have been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.1 –
(i) “That the practice of holding Ward Business Meetings in private be abolished and that where, in line with relevant legislation, items can be discussed in open, the press and public be admitted for that part of the meeting where these items are discussed.”
Signed
Mr D Bremner, Mr R Balfour, Mr G M Smith, Mr D J Chisholm, Mr J Crawford
For details of other items to be mentioned at the meeting (Common Good, Allotments Policy, Audit Scotland report 2008/2009... visit the meeting agenda on the Highland Council web pages here
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Do you commend Highland Council?
From the council web pages:
Over the next six months, The Highland Council will be preparing a new City Vision for Inverness, to replace the one prepared in 2003 – and the public are being urged to get involved by suggesting their top priorities for action.
A series of one-day Future City Vision events will run from Wednesday 20 January until Friday 22 January, 2010 for people from local communities, businesses, schools and colleges and the voluntary and public sectors.
Interested parties should contact Conan Farningham, Development Plans Team, Planning and Development Service, The Highland Council. Tel: 01463 702291 | Email: devplans@highland.gov.uk. The public can also have their say online at: http://invernesscityvision2010.blogspot.com/Trevor Muir, Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, said: “A+DS are delighted to support Highlands Council in the process of discussing what kind of place Inverness could be. This is a challenging question. The only real answer can emerge from discussion on the ground. We commend Highlands Council, both the leadership and the officers for committing to the agenda of creating and maintaining places where people want to be, particularly in the context of the national agenda of reform of the planning system.”
To read full article click here
Let us hope that they make a better job of it than the last City Vision which was the non-statutory well stream from which '30,000 people residing in a series of communities along the A96 Corridor' (and all APTSec's stress) flowed.
The 51 council houses
From the Highland Council web pages:
'The Highland Council is delighted that it has been successful with its bid for £1.275 million funding to the Scottish Government to support the construction of 51 new Council houses.
The housing units are earmarked to be built on Council-owned or Highland Housing Alliance sites - at Caol (8 units); Dingwall North (10 units); Invergordon (12 units); Corsee, Nairn ( 9 units); and Scotsburn Road, Tain (12 Units).
The new housing will be mainstream two and three bed properties with the exception of those at Nairn, which will be designed for older people or people with other health needs. All the new properties will be comparable to the new energy efficient homes recently developed by the Highland Housing Alliance at Kildary.'Broadband for rural Scotland
Extract from Scottish Government web pages:
Following talks with the Scottish Government to identify rural areas needing improvements, BT has already started work on upgrading 71 telephone exchanges. The first upgrades will be complete from March 2010.
The exchanges - in Argyll, Ayrshire, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Forth Valley, the Highlands and Islands, Lanarkshire, Lothian, Moray, Orkney, Renfrewshire, Shetland, and Tayside - are all operating at or approaching full capacity for broadband provision.
For full article click here
Confused about renewables?: part 1
The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland has a policy on wind Farms:
"This policy is intended to support the in-house work of APRS when responding to planning consultations concerning individual wind farm developments. In addition it may be useful to underpin any representation that APRS decides to make at a public inquiry or when giving guidance to local community groups who wish to formulate a view about a development in their locality. The policy does not set out to be comprehensive in its coverage of all the planning, landscape and natural heritage issues that might be raised by a particular wind farm development. Rather it focuses on visual and amenity matters as representing the core interest of APRS. First published in 2003, the policy was reviewed in September 2005 in an attempt to take account of the increasing number and scale of wind farm developments being submitted for approval."
The full item is available here
"This policy is intended to support the in-house work of APRS when responding to planning consultations concerning individual wind farm developments. In addition it may be useful to underpin any representation that APRS decides to make at a public inquiry or when giving guidance to local community groups who wish to formulate a view about a development in their locality. The policy does not set out to be comprehensive in its coverage of all the planning, landscape and natural heritage issues that might be raised by a particular wind farm development. Rather it focuses on visual and amenity matters as representing the core interest of APRS. First published in 2003, the policy was reviewed in September 2005 in an attempt to take account of the increasing number and scale of wind farm developments being submitted for approval."
The full item is available here
Devon Supermarket Challenge
Planning Daily reports:
A High Court wrangle between supermarket giants Sainsbury's and Tescos over their plans for the town of Dawlish in Devon has opened today.
For the full item click here
A High Court wrangle between supermarket giants Sainsbury's and Tescos over their plans for the town of Dawlish in Devon has opened today.
For the full item click here
Monday 14 December 2009
Strictly let her down
So, let's just get straight to the point; why didn't Ali B receive any support for her obvious nervousness? In other series, celeb after celeb received extra coaching here and there to help with issues seem as inhibiting their performance. This is a dance competition for trainees, and all additional help and support should be provided and the producers have already set precedent by helping others in the past.
There is no doubt that Mr W proved a formidable partner in the Argentine Tango and Mr H clearly now enjoys performing, but they too have their flaws, which strangely enough did not seem to affect the audience vote on Saturday.
Rant over
There is no doubt that Mr W proved a formidable partner in the Argentine Tango and Mr H clearly now enjoys performing, but they too have their flaws, which strangely enough did not seem to affect the audience vote on Saturday.
Rant over
Thursday 10 December 2009
Consultation on the Councillor's Code of Conduct
I was chatting briefly to a senior planning contact this morning and the contact happened to mention that the Scottish Government is now consulting on a:
'Proposal for Amendments to be made to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct'
The Code of Conduct was brought in in 2003;
"The revised Code addresses the way in which councillors should now take decisions on Quasi-Judicial or Regulatory Applications since the changes in the Scottish Planning System have come into effect."
Responses need to be in before 18 February 2010 and more details can be found here
'Proposal for Amendments to be made to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct'
The Code of Conduct was brought in in 2003;
"The revised Code addresses the way in which councillors should now take decisions on Quasi-Judicial or Regulatory Applications since the changes in the Scottish Planning System have come into effect."
Responses need to be in before 18 February 2010 and more details can be found here
APT in the Press
APT was mentioned in a small item on page 3 of the Inverness Courier this week with respect to our concerns over the consideration of the Airport Business Park application.
We were also mentioned in an item in the Press and Journal click here to read the item.
We were also mentioned in an item in the Press and Journal click here to read the item.
Busy Bees
The last month has been so hectic and draining for many of us in APT. Issues are now popping up all the time and the whole process of keeping up with the all the consultations and consideration of the major planning applications and appeals means that there are very often not enough hours in a day.
Blogging activity has been reduced but hopefully will pick up again in the run up to Christmas.
Blogging activity has been reduced but hopefully will pick up again in the run up to Christmas.
Saturday 5 December 2009
Quote of the week
"We (the community council) would have been more active in our concerns but we felt reassured on the basis that there was to be a hearing”.
[The Chairman of a local community council on reading in the press that the Inverness Airport Business Park Planning Application was to be considered on Tuesday 8th December without the benefit of the planning hearing that the community council had been informed would take place]
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Early Christmas Presents
Cawdor Maintenance Trust has submitted further information with respect to their Mixed Use Development Plans 08/00080/OUTNA at Delnies.
There is a formal consultation on this and representations should be made in writing to the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager by 12 January 2010.
Copies of the relevant documents will be available at Church Street Inverness and The Court House, Nairn.
There is a formal consultation on this and representations should be made in writing to the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager by 12 January 2010.
Copies of the relevant documents will be available at Church Street Inverness and The Court House, Nairn.
Monday 30 November 2009
"An unrivalled range of excellent opportunites"
News from the largest employer in Highland:
"Whatever your educational background, whatever your age, whether you have little work experience or a lot, there are jobs at Highland Council for everyone. And remember, if you cannot work full time, most of our jobs are open to job sharing and there is also a range of part time, standby, casual and sessional jobs."
For the latest list of jobs click here
"Whatever your educational background, whatever your age, whether you have little work experience or a lot, there are jobs at Highland Council for everyone. And remember, if you cannot work full time, most of our jobs are open to job sharing and there is also a range of part time, standby, casual and sessional jobs."
For the latest list of jobs click here
Easter Ross Ward Forum does Housing
Part of the latest press release from Highland Council:
"The Highland Council is currently developing the Highland’s third Housing Strategy. It will set out the main housing issues and its strategic direction - what it aims to do; what are the priorities and how Highland’s resources will be used including those used to provide new houses.
David Goldie, Highland Council’s Head of Housing, said the aim of the Council is to ensure everyone in Highland has a good quality, warm, affordable, secure home which meets their needs in a pleasant and thriving community.
“We are consulting with people across Highland to help us decide what action to take. This will help us understand what their priorities are, and what changes are needed, so that we can take these on board,” he said."[Next week (9 & 10 December 2009) households from the Cromarty Firth to the Dornoch Firth are being invited to have a say on how The Council and its partners can meet people’s housing needs and deal with housing issues over the next 5 years.]
Strictly tinged with sadness
A belated rundown of Saturday's 'Strictly' fringe fest:
We really missed Jade this week.
Chris - does he ever lose his cool? - danced cheekily and survived
Ricky - "too cool for school" - looked tired and uncomfortable and very nearly didn't survive
Ali - never mind the sequins, where are the bandages -danced kookily and survived the pain and the vote
Laila - "we're so glad Anton's got this far" - gave Anton the chance to shine and survived
The dream ended for Natalie, sadly, despite doing her best with another confident performance. The crowd, determined to show their appreciation for her attitude throughout the series , gave her a send off (uninterrupted applause and a standing ovation) as enthusiastic as her appearances in the show - and all this while Bruce and Tess tried to draw things to the usual conclusion.
Must confess, I was sad to see Natalie go
(Still think the show is too much stuffing and not enough turkey these days though!)
We really missed Jade this week.
Chris - does he ever lose his cool? - danced cheekily and survived
Ricky - "too cool for school" - looked tired and uncomfortable and very nearly didn't survive
Ali - never mind the sequins, where are the bandages -danced kookily and survived the pain and the vote
Laila - "we're so glad Anton's got this far" - gave Anton the chance to shine and survived
The dream ended for Natalie, sadly, despite doing her best with another confident performance. The crowd, determined to show their appreciation for her attitude throughout the series , gave her a send off (uninterrupted applause and a standing ovation) as enthusiastic as her appearances in the show - and all this while Bruce and Tess tried to draw things to the usual conclusion.
Must confess, I was sad to see Natalie go
(Still think the show is too much stuffing and not enough turkey these days though!)
Saturday 28 November 2009
Business is as buiness does?
Some items on the Gurn about the loss of shops on Nairn's High street makes me think that we should all be willing to achieve a greater understanding of what happens in the business world and how it affects our future.
Bookshop chain 'Borders' has been placed in administration. Sky News reporting tells us:
"Borders first opened in the UK in 1997 and was originally owned by the US book giant of the same name.
The TimesOnline reports:
"...when it was bought for £20 million by Risk Capital, the private equity firm owned by Luke Johnson. The number of stores was dramatically reduced from 79, with Risk Capital appointing RSM Bentley Jennison, the restructuring specialists, to oversee sell-offs.
An interesting item with related comments on "The Bookseller.com" ( dated 190709) provides a range of views and opinions on the subject and contains the following quotesfrom Mr Downer:
"In the short term there will be greater cash flow as we open up a new borrowing line. Beyond that it's ensuring the range, systems and processes in store are in place in order to maximise trade this Christmas."
"It will be extremely challenging but it is for any business that is not selling the basic staples like food. But I wouldn't be talking if I didn't see an opportunity to sell more products to more people and make money. But make no mistake, this is a tough environment"
"Downer refused to answer whether he thought the retailer had received sufficient funding from Risk Capital Partners. He said: "We had an excellent relationship and achieved some extraordinary things. We extracted the business from the US and fundamentally restructured it. It was a very successful period.""
There is also an interesting item in the Independent which catalogues what the author descirbes as the 'Tale of woe' at the end of the article.
Bookshop chain 'Borders' has been placed in administration. Sky News reporting tells us:
"Borders first opened in the UK in 1997 and was originally owned by the US book giant of the same name.
But the UK and Ireland arm was sold to buyout group Risk Capital Partners - headed by Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson - in 2007.
Management, led by chief executive Philip Downer and finance director Mark Little, then bought the group back with financing from Valco Capital earlier this year."The TimesOnline reports:
"...when it was bought for £20 million by Risk Capital, the private equity firm owned by Luke Johnson. The number of stores was dramatically reduced from 79, with Risk Capital appointing RSM Bentley Jennison, the restructuring specialists, to oversee sell-offs.
When the company was bought by Valco, Philip Downer, Borders’ chief executive, spoke of his optimism in securing its long-term future. However, the book market has been struggling. Waterstone’s, the biggest chain in the UK, which is owned by HMV, saw sales fall by 3.4 per cent in the 18 weeks to August 29.
Valco appointed Clearwater Corporate Finance to find a buyer for the business."An interesting item with related comments on "The Bookseller.com" ( dated 190709) provides a range of views and opinions on the subject and contains the following quotesfrom Mr Downer:
"In the short term there will be greater cash flow as we open up a new borrowing line. Beyond that it's ensuring the range, systems and processes in store are in place in order to maximise trade this Christmas."
"It will be extremely challenging but it is for any business that is not selling the basic staples like food. But I wouldn't be talking if I didn't see an opportunity to sell more products to more people and make money. But make no mistake, this is a tough environment"
"Downer refused to answer whether he thought the retailer had received sufficient funding from Risk Capital Partners. He said: "We had an excellent relationship and achieved some extraordinary things. We extracted the business from the US and fundamentally restructured it. It was a very successful period.""
There is also an interesting item in the Independent which catalogues what the author descirbes as the 'Tale of woe' at the end of the article.
Friday 27 November 2009
New risk on the block
Risk management is a central part of any organisation’s strategic management and an integral part of corporate governance and it should be a continuous and developing process which runs throughout an organisation's strategy. As far as a Local Authority is concerned, risk management is the identification, measurement and control of risks which can threaten the existence, assets, staff, reputation or services of the Council or part of it.
Highland Council's 'Audit and Scrutiny Committee' will get a risk management update (as agenda item 2) on 031209. What will they be told?
Amongst other things:
- that the Council will need to manage and resolve 2000 job evaluation appeals in 18 months to minimise the effect on staff morale and productivity - an existing risk, and,
- that the poor economic forecast for the Country and the Public Sector in the short to medium term may generate additional pressures and difficulties in balancing the Council’s budgets. This then leads to a 'new' risk; that the Council must manage current and future pressures and commitments within reducing available resources.
Tornagrain yet again!
I (fairly) recently commented on an article that had originally appeared in the Architecture Scotland magazine, 'Prospect'; here is the comment:
"The reference to communities does not seem to give a balanced view of how the proposals arose and the significant opposition to and concerns voiced by the public and communities regarding these proposals for this large scale development currently contrary to the existing adopted Inverness Local Plan."
and the author's reply:
"Thanks Cathy - I think there is certainly an issue about how and why Tornagrain was selected and I agree that this article doesn’t go there and instead deals with the detail of the proposal. There is a wider discussion about reinforcing existing towns and cities rather than building new settlements and this is particularly apposite in the case of Inverness."
To read the article click here
"The reference to communities does not seem to give a balanced view of how the proposals arose and the significant opposition to and concerns voiced by the public and communities regarding these proposals for this large scale development currently contrary to the existing adopted Inverness Local Plan."
and the author's reply:
"Thanks Cathy - I think there is certainly an issue about how and why Tornagrain was selected and I agree that this article doesn’t go there and instead deals with the detail of the proposal. There is a wider discussion about reinforcing existing towns and cities rather than building new settlements and this is particularly apposite in the case of Inverness."
To read the article click here
Getting linked up
Thanks to Barrie at Inverness South CC for these comments on how to find out what is going on in other community council areas:
"Inverness South CC monthly meeting Agenda and Minutes are loaded to the web site so all residents can see what is happening and discussed, particularly in relation to planning issues, meetings attended on other matters and naturally details of any guest speakers.
I discovered that the most realistic, simple and FREE facilities were the community website facilities offered by the Spanglefish operation based in Cromarty.
Suggest a way for APT to move forward on this would be to identify CC's and Residents Associations with web sites and publish a list of links on your APT Blog, and to encourage organisations without web sites to avail themselves of the FREE service and get cracking.
The Community Council web link for the Spanglefish programme is http://www.community-council.org.uk/
For other community use - showcase link: http://www.spanglefish.com/casestudies.asp
We also link to this handy web site http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Inverness-Shire/Inverness/IV2
"Inverness South CC monthly meeting Agenda and Minutes are loaded to the web site so all residents can see what is happening and discussed, particularly in relation to planning issues, meetings attended on other matters and naturally details of any guest speakers.
I discovered that the most realistic, simple and FREE facilities were the community website facilities offered by the Spanglefish operation based in Cromarty.
Suggest a way for APT to move forward on this would be to identify CC's and Residents Associations with web sites and publish a list of links on your APT Blog, and to encourage organisations without web sites to avail themselves of the FREE service and get cracking.
The Community Council web link for the Spanglefish programme is http://www.community-council.org.uk/
For other community use - showcase link: http://www.spanglefish.com/casestudies.asp
We also link to this handy web site http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Inverness-Shire/Inverness/IV2
Thursday 26 November 2009
Anyone got a spare £200 million?
News just in from APTTreas who spotted this article from Tuesday:
"The Scottish Government is considering setting up an agency with millions of pounds to buy unsold homes for council housing, reports suggest.
The Sunday Herald has reported the government is looking at setting up a body called the National Housing Trust, which would rent homes to people on low or middle incomes who do not qualify for housing association support.
The trust could buy 2,000 new unsold homes in Scotland using a ‘cautious estimate’ of £200 million borrowed by local government. There would be no direct government funding."
More here
"The Scottish Government is considering setting up an agency with millions of pounds to buy unsold homes for council housing, reports suggest.
The Sunday Herald has reported the government is looking at setting up a body called the National Housing Trust, which would rent homes to people on low or middle incomes who do not qualify for housing association support.
The trust could buy 2,000 new unsold homes in Scotland using a ‘cautious estimate’ of £200 million borrowed by local government. There would be no direct government funding."
More here
Homelessness; the Inverness perspective
THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Agenda Item 6
INVERNESS CITY COMMITTEE - 2 NOVEMBER 2009 Report
No ICC 76/09
Homelessness Issues in the City
Report by Area Housing & Property Manager
INVERNESS CITY COMMITTEE - 2 NOVEMBER 2009 Report
No ICC 76/09
Homelessness Issues in the City
Report by Area Housing & Property Manager
This report updates members on:
• National developments in Homelessness duties toward the 2012 target set by the
Scottish Government
• Local outcomes particularly around Service developments in the city centre.
• National developments in Homelessness duties toward the 2012 target set by the
Scottish Government
• Local outcomes particularly around Service developments in the city centre.
"Homelessness and solutions to Homelessness are not solely an issue for Housing & Property Services. Those presenting with established homelessness lifestyles are typically the victims of dysfunctional backgrounds and often very damaged, in the sense that their capacity to address the causes of their homelessness are compromised. Often however agencies with responsibilities, around addressing these underlying causes of an individual’s homelessness, are not directly involved. Opportunities are therefore often lost for instance to positively engage while a homeless applicant is temporarily accommodated."
On a personal note APTSec is heartened that there is a recognition that people need support and a recognition that there should be an integrated approach to providing this.
On a personal note APTSec is heartened that there is a recognition that people need support and a recognition that there should be an integrated approach to providing this.
Challenging year for planning consultants
From Planning Daily:
"Planning consultancy staffing levels and fee income have dropped over the past 18 months as managers try to balance the books in the face of declining workloads and frozen fee rates."
Full item here
"Planning consultancy staffing levels and fee income have dropped over the past 18 months as managers try to balance the books in the face of declining workloads and frozen fee rates."
Full item here
Wednesday 25 November 2009
A quote for this week
"The twenty-first century presents us with the challenge to provide cheap and desirable homes in pleasant living spaces for growing populations, without wasting land or resources. As the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act enters its sixtieth year the time has come to look back on successes and failures – and to ask whether land use planning requires a face lift, or deserves retirement."
What do you think?
Original source here
There seem to an awful lot of experts mulling over these weighty matter don't there? Also,
PricedOut.org.uk
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Universities "worth £59 billion to economy"
Extract:
"The overall figure of a university sector worth £59bn represented an increase of 25% compared to four years before.
The study found the revenue earned by UK universities - for example by consultancy work, intellectual property income or hosting conferences - stood at £23.4bn, comparable to the printing and publishing industry.
It also suggested that by attracting foreign students the sector generated £2.3bn in 2007-08 in off-campus expenditure.""In terms of spending and supporting local economies, the university sector bought £19.5bn worth of goods and services produced in the UK."
It would be interesting to see just what the breakdown was; which Universities earned the most revenue and for what? Just how much intellectual property do they have?
More here
One of 10,000 households
Our residence was one of the 10,000 households invited to a second exhibition to view plans for Phase One of the proposed Inverness Campus at Beechwood. HIE submitted an outline planning application for the site at Beechwood in April but because they say that they are keen to make progress on the initial phase HIE are submitting a second outline planning application for Phase One of the Academic Campus.
More information can be found on the HIE web site
By far the more interesting option is to look at the comments that have been posted on the Inverness College Web pages. Why not contribute to these pages.
APTSec will no doubt revisit this subject in the not too distant future.
More information can be found on the HIE web site
By far the more interesting option is to look at the comments that have been posted on the Inverness College Web pages. Why not contribute to these pages.
APTSec will no doubt revisit this subject in the not too distant future.
One man's consultation clarity...
An interesting item from Huw Morris on Consultation, particularly his comment:
"Before everybody joins the cavalry charge towards the Internet, think about the obvious. People spend hours reading books, magazines or newspapers, but the human eyeball does not have anything like the stamina to read screens."
I am with him on that one; not that the Internet isn't a wonderful tool for access and research, but working from several complex documents at a time exhausts the APTSec brain cells.
More information here
"Before everybody joins the cavalry charge towards the Internet, think about the obvious. People spend hours reading books, magazines or newspapers, but the human eyeball does not have anything like the stamina to read screens."
I am with him on that one; not that the Internet isn't a wonderful tool for access and research, but working from several complex documents at a time exhausts the APTSec brain cells.
More information here
A combined Ward Forum meeting?
David, from Smithton and Culloden Community Council, has put forward the suggestion that there should be a Community Council's Forum for all those affected by the proposed changes to the A96 Corridor. He feels this is particularly important given all the proposals in the area and the possible impact of these on the composition of Community Councils.
Added to this, of course, we have the following - which has been previously commented on in the blog:
"Major Consultation Planned Over Community Council Review
It is my understanding from David that Ardersier ,Balloch and Smithton & Culloden CCs feel that there should be no change whatsoever to existing CCs on the A96 Corridor until the Highland development plan is in place and developments have been approved.
To see a forum composed of the community councils below all working together on shared issues of planning and community involvement would certainly increase the strength of the public voice.
Ardersier
Auldearn
Balloch
Cawdor
Croy and Culloden Moor
Inverness West
Inverness South
Nairn River
Nairn Suburban
Nairn West
Westhill
As APTSec, I am aware of many of the planning issues that many of the CC's are facing and can see that many issues could be seen as common and overlapping. Working together can be difficult but there is also strength in numbers.
Lots of comments here would be lovely.
Added to this, of course, we have the following - which has been previously commented on in the blog:
"Major Consultation Planned Over Community Council Review
The first phase of a major review of Community Council arrangements in Highland, focusing on boundaries, is under way. The Council is revoking the current eight schemes and invites suggestions on the area and composition of Community Councils.
Many Community Council boundaries were set more than 30 years ago.Community Councils (and members of the public who wish to participate in this process) are asked to consider whether these boundaries are still meaningful as they stand, or whether changes in such things as population and settlement patterns should be reflected in altered boundaries. There may also be an opportunity to realign Community Council boundaries with other divisions, such as Polling Districts. Please note in this connection that Ward boundaries themselves are not set by the Council.
The closing date to make submissions is Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009. Emails should be sent to ccreview@highland.gov.uk. Written submissions should be sent to CC Review, Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX.
The second 12-week period of public consultation will follow in April 2010, after the Council has produced a new Highland-wide draft scheme. This will include discussion at Ward Forums.
A third period of consultation will follow in October, next year, when the public is invited to comment on amendments to the draft scheme."It is my understanding from David that Ardersier ,Balloch and Smithton & Culloden CCs feel that there should be no change whatsoever to existing CCs on the A96 Corridor until the Highland development plan is in place and developments have been approved.
To see a forum composed of the community councils below all working together on shared issues of planning and community involvement would certainly increase the strength of the public voice.
Ardersier
Auldearn
Balloch
Cawdor
Croy and Culloden Moor
Inverness West
Inverness South
Nairn River
Nairn Suburban
Nairn West
Westhill
As APTSec, I am aware of many of the planning issues that many of the CC's are facing and can see that many issues could be seen as common and overlapping. Working together can be difficult but there is also strength in numbers.
Lots of comments here would be lovely.
Monday 23 November 2009
Scottish Local Government (Elections) Act 2009
As I walked out today I began to wonder when the next local elections would be; this evening I found that somehow all this has passed APTSec by:
"The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 17th June 2009 and received Royal Assent on 21st July 2009
Year of local government elections
"The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 17th June 2009 and received Royal Assent on 21st July 2009
Year of local government elections
(1) In section 5 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39) (elections etc. of councillors), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Following the ordinary election of councillors held in 2007 the next ordinary election of councillors shall take place in 2012.
(1B) After the ordinary election of councillors in 2012 the next ordinary election shall take place in 2017, and ordinary elections shall take place every fourth year after that.”.
The full Act here
Anyone thinking of standing as a local councillor will have to wait a little while.
First-ever Land Use Summit
Extract
"Rural land makes up 97 per cent of the country, accounts for one in every six jobs and generates over £17 billion a year for the economy.
Those key findings were among many to be found in new research published today at Scotland's first-ever Land Use Summit."
To read more click here
"Rural land makes up 97 per cent of the country, accounts for one in every six jobs and generates over £17 billion a year for the economy.
Those key findings were among many to be found in new research published today at Scotland's first-ever Land Use Summit."
To read more click here
Affordable homes - offical opening in Orkney
A £5.4 million housing development in Orkney was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond on the 20th November .
Extract
"Mr Salmond met residents moving into new properties from the second (final) phase of The Meadows development in Kirkwall, as well as representatives of Orkney Housing Association Ltd which delivered the project, the developers Andrew Sinclair and Orkney Islands Council.
The development, backed by £3.9 million Scottish Government funding, provides a total of 36 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership."
Extract
"Mr Salmond met residents moving into new properties from the second (final) phase of The Meadows development in Kirkwall, as well as representatives of Orkney Housing Association Ltd which delivered the project, the developers Andrew Sinclair and Orkney Islands Council.
The development, backed by £3.9 million Scottish Government funding, provides a total of 36 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership."
Not all doom and gloom in building industry
Planning Daily reports:
"The Scottish Government has unveiled plans for a new 121-home low-carbon community near Eaglesham Village in East Renfrewshire.
Planning permission was originally granted for the Polnoon moorland scheme in 2006.
However, following an approach from developer Mactaggart & Mickel to the Scottish Government, it was agreed that ministers would contribute £10,000 towards revised proposals to make better use of street design, open space and housing design.
Planning permission and road construction consent for the revised plans was granted in October 2009."
Good news for the developers who were said to have 'leant hard' on their overdraft - more here
The Scottish Government news release is here
"The Scottish Government has unveiled plans for a new 121-home low-carbon community near Eaglesham Village in East Renfrewshire.
Planning permission was originally granted for the Polnoon moorland scheme in 2006.
However, following an approach from developer Mactaggart & Mickel to the Scottish Government, it was agreed that ministers would contribute £10,000 towards revised proposals to make better use of street design, open space and housing design.
Planning permission and road construction consent for the revised plans was granted in October 2009."
Good news for the developers who were said to have 'leant hard' on their overdraft - more here
The Scottish Government news release is here
Villagers surveyed want more affordable homes
From Michael Donnelly in Planning Daily
"The ICM survey, commissioned by the National Housing Federation (NHF), also found that 66% of rural dwellers would support the building of new affordable homes where they live."
More information on the definition and categories of affordable housing in paragraph 8 of the guidance here
"The ICM survey, commissioned by the National Housing Federation (NHF), also found that 66% of rural dwellers would support the building of new affordable homes where they live."
More information on the definition and categories of affordable housing in paragraph 8 of the guidance here
So many empty houses?
From Huw Morris at Planning Daily
"With 970,000 homes lying empty in the UK, the Empty Homes Agency called on the government to redirect unspent funding intended for building new houses to renovating vacant property."
"The Empty Homes Agency also called on the government to publish an annual report on the true number of vacant homes it owns, with some estimates putting the figure at around 40,000."
"With 970,000 homes lying empty in the UK, the Empty Homes Agency called on the government to redirect unspent funding intended for building new houses to renovating vacant property."
"The Empty Homes Agency also called on the government to publish an annual report on the true number of vacant homes it owns, with some estimates putting the figure at around 40,000."
Saturday 21 November 2009
Apologies for delay in posting
Good afternoon
I am currently fighting against time and lack of brain power as I try to complete the draft APT response to the Main Issues Report. The last week has been busy with a lot of research and some interesting meetings and phone calls - all planning related.
The Dev Plans Team feels that they are complying with the National Standards for Public Engagement. They have fulfilled some requirements but there was a lot more that could and should have been done in my view.
I would be interested in your views in this regard. If you could spare the time to help out please look at the checklist here
Many Thanks
APTSec
I am currently fighting against time and lack of brain power as I try to complete the draft APT response to the Main Issues Report. The last week has been busy with a lot of research and some interesting meetings and phone calls - all planning related.
The Dev Plans Team feels that they are complying with the National Standards for Public Engagement. They have fulfilled some requirements but there was a lot more that could and should have been done in my view.
I would be interested in your views in this regard. If you could spare the time to help out please look at the checklist here
Many Thanks
APTSec
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Glowing views of the Charrette?
It seems that the use of charrettes to engage with the public is becoming very popular.
Moray Estates held the first one in the Highlands I believe:
Extract: Architect's Journal
"In September this year (2006) Andrés Duany captured the imagination of the UK media when he ran an 11-day workshop in Inverness to draw up a masterplan for a new settlement, to be called Tornagrain. Duany's debut in the UK came about because DPZ has always had strong links with the Prince's Foundation.
Day one of the Tornagrain charette consisted of an opening address by Jim Mackinnon, the Scottish Executive's chief planner, and a mass tour of the site. Meetings with local planners, Scottish Water and highway engineers followed. Throughout the period the design team gave pin-up demonstrations to locals."
people and participation.net tell us
"Design Charrettes are 'a fun and innovative way to engage the public, especially in projects where there is a significant landscape, streetscape, or other interesting design element.
Design Charrettes are public workshops that include community members, design professionals, and other project staff. Charrettes can take place in a single session or be spread out among two or three workshops. The goal of the charette process is to capture the vision, values, and ideas of the community - with designers sketching to create alternatives and ideas as fast as they can be generated by the participants."
So:
Did we enjoy the Charrette in the Highlands?
Did the Charrette set out to capture the vision and ideas of the community as highlighted (extract above) on the participation.net web site?
What really changed as a result of the public input?
Why did the Chief Planner for Scotland give an opening address?
Moray Estates held the first one in the Highlands I believe:
Extract: Architect's Journal
"In September this year (2006) Andrés Duany captured the imagination of the UK media when he ran an 11-day workshop in Inverness to draw up a masterplan for a new settlement, to be called Tornagrain. Duany's debut in the UK came about because DPZ has always had strong links with the Prince's Foundation.
Day one of the Tornagrain charette consisted of an opening address by Jim Mackinnon, the Scottish Executive's chief planner, and a mass tour of the site. Meetings with local planners, Scottish Water and highway engineers followed. Throughout the period the design team gave pin-up demonstrations to locals."
people and participation.net tell us
"Design Charrettes are 'a fun and innovative way to engage the public, especially in projects where there is a significant landscape, streetscape, or other interesting design element.
Design Charrettes are public workshops that include community members, design professionals, and other project staff. Charrettes can take place in a single session or be spread out among two or three workshops. The goal of the charette process is to capture the vision, values, and ideas of the community - with designers sketching to create alternatives and ideas as fast as they can be generated by the participants."
So:
Did we enjoy the Charrette in the Highlands?
Did the Charrette set out to capture the vision and ideas of the community as highlighted (extract above) on the participation.net web site?
What really changed as a result of the public input?
Why did the Chief Planner for Scotland give an opening address?
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Confusion on Nairn Housing??
Calling anyone from Nairn who can shed light on an issue APTSec is troubled by; please holler now!
Please look over:
A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework page 18; fig 3 - Nairn Framework Plan
Exhibition Board 4 plan for the development at Delnies currently under consideration
Power Point presentation by S Davidson (slides 11-15)
Practically Delivering Smart Growth for the Highlands - A Success in Collaboration
So how many houses are they planning for West Nairn and exactly where?
(I have the full notes on the S.Davidson ppp but the file is 25mb please contact me if you wish a copy)
Please look over:
A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework page 18; fig 3 - Nairn Framework Plan
Exhibition Board 4 plan for the development at Delnies currently under consideration
Power Point presentation by S Davidson (slides 11-15)
Practically Delivering Smart Growth for the Highlands - A Success in Collaboration
So how many houses are they planning for West Nairn and exactly where?
(I have the full notes on the S.Davidson ppp but the file is 25mb please contact me if you wish a copy)
Monday 16 November 2009
Views in the HIE area: A96 Corridor
Views North across the proposed site for the 'New Town' near Tornagrain
Consideration of MIR responses
Highland's Elected Members have been informed via their PED Committee report on the
"A lot of work has been carried out since March 2009 on the implementation of the framework. Most significantly, the consultation on the Main Issues Report ended on 9th November 2009, and a range of comments have been received on the content of that document as it relates to Inverness and the A96 Corridor. It is important that these responses are considered and the strategy is reassessed to be brought forward through the Proposed Plan. As noted above, it had been intended that the Proposed Plan would have been available in Autumn 2009. This timescale has now been altered, and the revised date for the Proposed Plan is for early 2010. Only once the scale and content of representation to the Main Issues Report is known can a definitive Committee date be set out."
SO IF YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BEST GET THAT RESPONSE IN QUICK!
'Implementation of the A96 Corridor Framework'
That:
"A lot of work has been carried out since March 2009 on the implementation of the framework. Most significantly, the consultation on the Main Issues Report ended on 9th November 2009, and a range of comments have been received on the content of that document as it relates to Inverness and the A96 Corridor. It is important that these responses are considered and the strategy is reassessed to be brought forward through the Proposed Plan. As noted above, it had been intended that the Proposed Plan would have been available in Autumn 2009. This timescale has now been altered, and the revised date for the Proposed Plan is for early 2010. Only once the scale and content of representation to the Main Issues Report is known can a definitive Committee date be set out."
SO IF YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BEST GET THAT RESPONSE IN QUICK!
Update:
APTSec does understand that the Planning Authority needs to be 'seen' to be listening to those that they are consulting with by the Government - they have boxes to tick after all.
The fact that they have lost so much of my trust and confidence in the past means that I am sceptical as to whether or not they will take any of the well researched points we have made on board; however it does not mean that we should not continue to make them.
APTSec does understand that the Planning Authority needs to be 'seen' to be listening to those that they are consulting with by the Government - they have boxes to tick after all.
The fact that they have lost so much of my trust and confidence in the past means that I am sceptical as to whether or not they will take any of the well researched points we have made on board; however it does not mean that we should not continue to make them.
Quotes of the week: The A96 Corridor; part 1
Regarding the proposals for the A96 Corridor
Yes, important issues raised by the Community, over and over again.
The Committee report from which these statements have been taken can be found here
"There do remain a number of key infrastructure delivery and phasing challenges which need to be resolved."
"It is essential that the Council has confidence that the necessary commitments are in place before decisions are taken on these major planning applications. This was an important issue raised by communities during the preparation of the Framework."
Yes, important issues raised by the Community, over and over again.
The Committee report from which these statements have been taken can be found here
Consortium formed for Housing Fair
In Wednesday's Planning, Environment and Development Committee meeting Members will be recommended to note the considerable progress being made in the development of both the Housing and the Event elements of Scotland’s Housing Expo which is scheduled to take place at Balvonie Braes, Inverness for the month of August 2010. There are 55 houses and flats on 27 plots which were designed by 22 architectural practices.
Five contractors have formed a Joint Venture company – known as the
Highland Construction Consortium Ltd. to act as principal contractor on site for the Highland Housing Fair. They have evolved common site management rules and each is contributing site
manager resources to jointly manage the whole site. They are:
William Gray Construction Ltd.
Tulloch Homes Express
O’ Brien Properties
Robertson Highland
Morrison Construction
The contractors themselves are building 8 houses for sale. Highland Housing Alliance have commissioned the remaining 24 private houses on the site with the financing of this being provided by a loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland which is being underwritten by the Scottish Government.
The report to Committee states:
There are currently no further financial implications for the Highland Council for the rescheduled 2010 Scotland’s Housing Expo Event. Should the event not proceed the Expo Company would be liquidated with any outstanding debts being met from public sector resources, including the Highland Council.
If the private houses are not built to budget and there are cost over-runs or if they fail to achieve their projected selling price, the financial risk will be borne by the Highland Housing Alliance in the first instance. Ultimately part of this could fall against the £1.4m loan for the site purchase and servicing provided from the Council’s £10m Land Bank Fund (£5m of which came from the Scottish Government).
Update:
I have just been sent this link by a contact:
"Taxpayers may Face Housing Expo Bill"
See P and J at link above
Five contractors have formed a Joint Venture company – known as the
Highland Construction Consortium Ltd. to act as principal contractor on site for the Highland Housing Fair. They have evolved common site management rules and each is contributing site
manager resources to jointly manage the whole site. They are:
William Gray Construction Ltd.
Tulloch Homes Express
O’ Brien Properties
Robertson Highland
Morrison Construction
The contractors themselves are building 8 houses for sale. Highland Housing Alliance have commissioned the remaining 24 private houses on the site with the financing of this being provided by a loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland which is being underwritten by the Scottish Government.
The report to Committee states:
There are currently no further financial implications for the Highland Council for the rescheduled 2010 Scotland’s Housing Expo Event. Should the event not proceed the Expo Company would be liquidated with any outstanding debts being met from public sector resources, including the Highland Council.
If the private houses are not built to budget and there are cost over-runs or if they fail to achieve their projected selling price, the financial risk will be borne by the Highland Housing Alliance in the first instance. Ultimately part of this could fall against the £1.4m loan for the site purchase and servicing provided from the Council’s £10m Land Bank Fund (£5m of which came from the Scottish Government).
Update:
I have just been sent this link by a contact:
"Taxpayers may Face Housing Expo Bill"
See P and J at link above
Planning Committee Agenda for 18th November
The Highland Council Web site announces and meeting papers are available on line for:
A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee (which) will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 18 November 2009 at 10.30am.
Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.
Agenda items include:- Highland Housing Fair 2010
- A96 Corridor
- Nigg Development Masterplan and Appropriate Assessment
- Aquaculture Framework Plan for Loch Nevis: Consultation Report and Plan Revisions
- Fort William Wider Waterfront Study
- Dingwall Riverside Development Brief
Sunday 15 November 2009
"Dry Weedy Ditches in 5 years"?
APTSec's eyes and ears were drawn to a rather disturbing item on the BBC news this morning.
The BBC news web site reports:
"Thousands of people enjoy the peace and quiet of Britain's canals every year. However, the calm waters could soon become a political battleground.
Environment ministers are apparently determined to resist plans by the Treasury to sell off the land and properties that line the waterways. The sale could raise £500m. "
You can find the news report film here and the essence, if I have understood correctly, is that British Waterways manage and maintain Britain's Canals at a cost of £120m per annum and 40% of this money comes from income generated by the £500m property portfolio that BW has. If the Treasury sells the assets - bang goes the income.
Given that it was announced in October that Scotland's first official canoe trail is to be created along 62 miles of waterways from Fort William to Inverness and that British Waterways Scotland estimates that about 2,500 enthusiasts already use the canal each year and spend £75,000 locally, to lose this revenue would surely be a blow.
Check out the Caledonian Canal News via British Waterways Leisure web site, Waterscape.com
Did you know that "...over half of the UK population live within five miles of a canal or river..."?
The BBC news web site reports:
"Thousands of people enjoy the peace and quiet of Britain's canals every year. However, the calm waters could soon become a political battleground.
Environment ministers are apparently determined to resist plans by the Treasury to sell off the land and properties that line the waterways. The sale could raise £500m. "
You can find the news report film here and the essence, if I have understood correctly, is that British Waterways manage and maintain Britain's Canals at a cost of £120m per annum and 40% of this money comes from income generated by the £500m property portfolio that BW has. If the Treasury sells the assets - bang goes the income.
Given that it was announced in October that Scotland's first official canoe trail is to be created along 62 miles of waterways from Fort William to Inverness and that British Waterways Scotland estimates that about 2,500 enthusiasts already use the canal each year and spend £75,000 locally, to lose this revenue would surely be a blow.
Check out the Caledonian Canal News via British Waterways Leisure web site, Waterscape.com
Did you know that "...over half of the UK population live within five miles of a canal or river..."?
Saturday 14 November 2009
Problems catching up with Highlands?
An item on 'The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations' web pages advises:
'Problems Forecast in Highlands Construction Industry'
Does this mean that there are no problems in the construction industry elsewhere?
To get a good flavour of the dire situation that the construction industry is in in general have a look at the Brickonomics web site here and here and here
Isn't is about time we took a long hard look at where we are and why we got here or will we still be treading the same worn out path in years to come? The thing then of course is that we are likely to be poorer, older and well, worn out ourselves!
To get a good flavour of the dire situation that the construction industry is in in general have a look at the Brickonomics web site here and here and here
Isn't is about time we took a long hard look at where we are and why we got here or will we still be treading the same worn out path in years to come? The thing then of course is that we are likely to be poorer, older and well, worn out ourselves!
More MIR views just in
APT has been encouraging as many people as possible to submit responses to the consultation on the MIR for the HwLDP. Here is a small snippet from one response just forwarded to me:
Highlands should be a fundamental development objective. Such infrastructure is vital for the development of distance-working, homeworking, and the high-skills, low-impact, small-scale businesses that should be actively encouraged in a rural region such as the Highlands ."
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