Sandown: the farce continues
The Press and Journal publishes a public relations exercise on the Sandown development by Deveron Homes, in which the company waxes lyrically about their “improved plans” for the Sandown development.
Luckily the Gurn covers the strong objection through the Suburban Council and posts a copy of the revised plan for view.
The underlying problem is that Deveron seem focused on a single aim – of squeezing maximum profit from the development.
Unfortunately, it seems the Highland Council have a long tradition of granting planning permission to grand plans, only to see these changed until all that’s left is a mockery of planning law as the developing bleeds every last profit asset, so we need to be on very careful guard.
Highland Councillors need to get one thing clear – they do not need to feel obliged to grant applications or changes in planning which seek to maximise profits to a private company at the community expense.
The issue of “affordable housing” is an especially nasty trap – supposed “affordable housing” in the form of flats on Deveron’s Lochloy road development ended up being marketed as “luxury flats” – because they had clear sea views.
These two-bedroom flats were until recently being offered for sale via Remax at £180,000 each – more expensive than the £160,000-170,000 being asked for three bedroom bungalows on the older Barratts estate behind it.
The danger is that Deveron are trying to pull a fast one again, as the (now revised) three storey buildings at Sandown have a good chance of having sea views – which again means these in reality could become luxury developments commanding a higher price on the property market. A sneaky way to keep within “affordable housing” guidelines for the A96 corridor, yet still sell at a luxury profit.
In fact, the whole argument that Deveron are pushing for “increased housing density” simply underlines that the company is seeking to raise its profit margins for the whole development, and this is not being done with any consideration for the development of Nairn as a desirable location to live.
To be clear, there is merit in the plans – a leisure centre, wetlands park and business park, would certainly be welcome, and the continued growth and the intelligent expansion of Nairn as a residential centre in the Highlands can only be welcome.
What we cannot afford to see is developers seek to create projects whose sole remit is to increase profit margins per square foot of development, when this is not going to work in the interests of the town.
If Nairn is serious about being recognised as a tourist destination then it needs to think very carefully indeed about the aesthetic look of the town, and should seek to preserve character for this purpose, rather than continue to grant high-rise developments blindly.
While developers will always pine for high rise developments, they do so because it increases the profit capacity of the land being built upon – the land remains the highest building cost, so the more units for sale on each square foot of land increases profitability significantly.
Those towns who made tourism a priority and forced development to work within limits reap twin benefits of tourist numbers and increased property prices.
Those towns who make development interests a priority become unattractive places to either visit or live.
Nairn has a choice, and sees the danger – the important point I think is to ensure that objections are focused on business arguments that consider a prosperous future for Nairn, rather than be seen as vague reservations about change.
Firstly, we need to ensure the Deveron plan focuses not on “affordability” and developer profits, but instead focuses on integrating with the character of the town.
Secondly, we need to ensure if any planning application is approved, that it is clear that further changes will not be tolerated.
Thirdly, we need to work more as a community to determine the future of Nairn and how we want to it grow – as a tourist destination, place to live, and an independent voice in the A96 corridor sprawl.
Tonight at the Ward Forum I know this will form at least some of the discussion, and hopefully the growing voice of change for Nairn will be represented.
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