Kilnhill Woods development: pros and cons
The BBC reports that the Forestry Commission’s plan for a small eco-living project in Kilnhill Woods has been withdrawn, subject to further unscheduled amendments.
A previous BBC report highlighted local objections because it will develop “a community of a certain way of thinking”.
There are also concerns raised on the impact on wildlife.
The Gurn argues that the development is not a good idea because it will increase traffic on Lochloy Road.
However, I think we’re seeing a lot of blather and nonsense about this development, and it all essentially boils down to xenophobia and fear about having something a bit “different”.
After all, it’s absolutely fine for Inverness to host its own eco development showcase – something that has generated worldwide media attention.
And everyone loved the eco-house in the woods on Grand Designs.
But even a small in-situ forward thinking development with extra media potential for the town is too ambitious for Nairn, apparently.
The Lochloy Road issue is a non-starter as well – we already have Kylauren’s massive sprawling development between Lochloy Road and the railway line, with access to this development still focused on Lochloy Road. I don’t hear any objections about that advancing and causing issues.
So why should a small woodland community based on eco-principles (which probably means aversion to the 4×4′s endemic among Nairn women drivers) present a significant traffic problem?
The wildlife issue is the more realistic complaint – but this isn’t Barratt’s suggesting a development, but this is the Forestry Commission proposing this, and you kind of expect them to have very strict criteria.
The only real problem I can see for the development is a simple one, really.
Insects.
Roe Deer may be nice to chance upon, but as out-of-towners we have learned that deer carry ticks – and that means you walk through any sort of undergrowth where deer is present at your peril.
We haven’t learned quickly enough – since we moved up here, we’ve managed to pick up 10 ticks over two years, walking various trails where deer can be found. We don’t aim to increase that number further.
Ticks themselves aren’t the problem – it’s Lyme’s Disease.
Additionally, there are the horseflies – which under the best conditions can give a nasty little irritating bite.
However, this year my mother-in-law discovered that a “clegg” can cause serious cellulitis. Bitten through her trousers, the clegg left an inflamation on her thigh that quickly covered everything from the knee to the pelvis.
So while an eco development is probably a good idea for getting Nairn on the map – and I’d be happy to support the concept – I suspect that anyone trying to make an eco-living in Kilnhill Woods is likely to suffer a rude awakening on the prospects of naturally living among insects. And that the presence of ticks and horseflies could result in any such development having a somewhat short-lived tenancy.
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