Minutes of the Meeting of Plockton & District Community Council

Plockton Village Hall
Monday 10 March 2008, 7:00pm

Present

• C M MacRae (Chairman)
• I J MacKenna (Vice-Chair)
• G Glasgow
• J MacDonald
• M MacKenzie
• I Mathieson
• G R Webster
• G James (Secretary/Treasurer)
• C Will (Crofters' Representative)
• 4 residents

Apologies

• R Sharp
• Cllr I Campbell
• Cllr A Sinclair
• Kyle Constabulary

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
   1. The Minutes of the last meeting were proposed and seconded by I Matheson and G R Webster, respectively.
   2. Matters Arising

      1. Local Plan

         The Community Council members, with one exception, had sent in a strong objection to the Highland Council newly-appointed Director of Planning, Dr Stuart Black, with regard to the new Final Draft Plan showing two amenity houses on Ard a’Mhormaich, i.e. land to the south of Cooper Street. A wish was expressed that these be removed from the Plan, and it was made clear that the CC is not averse in any way to amenity houses, but emphatically not on this particular site.

         A letter of acknowledgement had been received from Tim Stott, HC Senior Planner, confirming that the submission will be taken forward for consideration and contact will be made to let the CC know what will happen at the next stage of the process.

         Copies of several letters of objection written by local residents to the Director of Planning had been received by the CC, highlighting grounds, e.g. the adverse effect on the Conservation Area, the impact from the seaward vista, the contravention of the Scottish Parliament’s recent SPP No 11 Open Space Policy, potential parking problems, etc.

         The CC also drew attention to the fact that the Plan had not identified the Church of Scotland Glebe for a possible amenity housing site.

      2. Housing Project

         • A Planning Application had been submitted for the erection of four houses on Ard a’Mhormaich, to which the CC had unanimously, with oneexception, expressed its strong objections, citing the contravention of the SP Open Space Policy, and the fact that this is part of theConservation Area and represents the only remaining community area in the envelope of the village.

           The possibility of a community buy-out was referred to, and it was also noted that this Application is contrary to the present Local Plan, which makes it clear that this area should remain undeveloped.

           The CC had been provided with a copy of a feu, authenticated by Skye & Lochalsh Highland Council, dated 21 August 2001, showing the area adjacent to No 8 Cooper Street (Ard a’Mhormaich) as an unfenced feu in the name of J T Glasse and the National Trust for Scotland. This would be further investigated.

           It was agreed that the possibility of a community buy-out at the market price, with all consideration and fairness to the owners, should be followed up by the next newly-to-be elected CC, when advice could be sought on funding.

         • Completion of the Free Presbyterian Church site amenity houses is expected to be end of April, subsequent to the houses being occupied in May.
         • With regard to the Burnside project, the three tenders received from contractors were all too highly priced. The need for re-submission of tenders will, therefore, result in a three-month delay in the project.
         • A Planning Application had been received for the erection of a house to the rear of the Haven Hotel. Whilst conceding that this new application was more feasible than the previously refused version, it was still felt that the actual building was too large for the site and significantly close to the present dry stone dykes which are at present retaining walls to the Haven gardens.

         It was noted that the CC was no longer informed of Planning decisions, and Cllr Sinclair was in contact with the Planning Department with a view to clarifying certain aspects of planning procedures.

      3. Police Matters

         The Chairman, having received complaints, wished to ask what were the police regulations relating to noisy cars. He also warned of the problems being encountered with door-to-door salesmen “scams”.

      4. Roads Department

         The following points would be raised with this Department:

         • The appalling state of the road between Duirinish and Drumbuie
         • The poor standard of the road tarring in Harbour Street is unacceptable
         • The incomplete re-surfacing work at the new pontoon car park and the manner in which the parking spaces have been marked out is causing problems for the adjacent houseowner. Chairman to action.

         A letter had been received from Mark Crowe confirming the Roads Department’s intention to replace both 30mph signs ar Duirinish, and apologising for the protracted length of time this process will take.

         It was noted that they are looking at widening the bridge junction on the right hand side heading to Plockton, and would let the CC know the outcome.

         With regard to the Strathie bend, it was thought that the best possibility would be for it to be tied in with the Burnside housing project.

      5. Village Maintenance

         A letter had been received from James Tolme, HC Roads & Community Works Manager, confirming that, following a TECS meeting on 24 January, it had been agreed to spend additional monies, particularly targeted at environmental measures such as weed control, litter collection, etc. It was also hoped by the CC that grass cutting could be carried out.

      6. Post Office Matters

         It had been confirmed that Plockton Post Office would remain open. Such confirmation was most welcome.

      7. Rural Public Transport

         The continuing problem relating to the Plockton/Kyle bus service and the company’s reluctance to turn the bus at the harbour car park, is being followed up with TEC Services by John Farquhar Munro MSP, and also by Cllr Sinclair. The Chairman is arranging to meet the Rapson Bus Co. representative on site.

      8. Plockton Harbour Association

         The finalisation of the legal handover from the CC to the Harbour Association had still to be completed.

      9. Ward Forum

         The next meeting will be held in Ullapool at 2.00pm on 24 March. Agenda still to be received.

      10. Island Tidy-up

          Ewen Cameron has completed this work, for which the CC is most grateful.

      11. Path between Nos 26 & 27 Harbour Street

          An interim assessment of the work had been received from Donald Kennedy, S & L Access Officer, recommending the work be continued to the current specification, but allowing for a short section to be widened at approximately the half way point to create a passing place.

          Objections had been raised by a CC member at the lack of steps at the top of the path, and also the excessive height of the risers on each step, general disappointment being registered.

          It was agreed the CC would request that the outstanding work, i.e. remaining steps, possible handrail, any further inadequacies, etc. be financed from next year’s Access Budget.

      12. Additional Village Notice Board

          G R Webster would acquire details of the new pontoon notice board, which it was felt would be of a suitable standard for the proposed notice board to be placed at the Station end of the village.

2. Correspondence
   1. Donald Beaton, S & L Council on Alcohol — “Alcohol and Young People” seminar to be held on 15 April at the Aros Centre, Portree.
   2. Zurich Municipal Certificate of Employers’ Liability Insurance(s).
3. AOB
   1. Many thanks to the Harbour Association and Gary Phoenix for the provisionand construction of a new table/seat for the car park.
   2. The Village Clean-up would take place on 24 April.
   3. The Chairman had received several complaints relating to dog fouling on the village streets. Chairman to provide appropriate notice.
   4. Thanks were recorded to Martin Allan for his assistance in placing the Minutes on the Plockton web site.
   5. Ewen Cameron had been asked to give an estimate for the work required on the causeway, Authorities for a grant to renovate Buckie’s Pier. Chairman to action.
   6. The village BT telephone box had not been cleaned for some considerable time, and the top glass was in need of repair. Chairman to action.
   7. Gill James had agreed to act as Returning Officer for the forthcoming Community Council Local Election, the count for which would be held on 8 May 2008. Further details, nomination papers, etc. would be made available during the week commencing 24 March.
   8. The extremely poor surface of Bank Street was noted, causing problems to handicapped residents. The Roads Department would be approached on this matter.
   9. The ongoing matter of septic tanks in the Rhu area continues to be progressed.
   10. A resident wished to register her concern that on the final draft of the Local Plan the area incorporating the Brae Road, Harbour Street, Cooper Street and Bank Street had been identified as a “Commercial Area”, and therefore represented possible commercial development. This concern had been registered by her to HC Planning.
   11. Before closing the meeting, the members of the CC expressed their appreciation to the retiring Chairman for all his considerable contribution to the work of this Council. Appreciation was also expressed to the Secretary.
4. Date of the Next Meeting
   1. The next meeting of the Community Council will be the AGM and will be held on Monday 12 May 2008, in Plockton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

The Community Council (elected on 19 May 2004)

C M MacRae (Chairman)

01599 544 359

I J MacKenna (Vice-Chair)

280

G Glasgow

719

J MacDonald

282

M MacKenzie

204

I Mathieson

737

G R Webster

283

G James (Secretary/Treasurer)

384

28 April 2008