by Joe Jeffrey
Plans to increase caravan and camping pitches by building on car park and coastal trail faces opposition
Community councillors have objected to a Scottish Highlands holiday park’s plans for expansion amidst fears over the environmental impact any expansion may present to the local area.
Nairn West and Suburban Community Council secretary, Brian Stewart, has described plans made by Nairn Lochlay Holiday Park, owned by Parkdean Holidays as “premature and inappropriate.”
Local residents have also weighed in on the debate over fears that plans to introduce new caravan and camping pitches could have a detrimental impact on land currently used as a car park and a coastal trail leading to the local beach, leaving many with little opportunity to park or make the most of the costal trail.
Highland Council access officer Stewart Eastaugh states in planning papers that the site currently includes a “core path” linking Nairn and nearby Culbin as part of a coastal trail to Moray and that is is “likely to be a public right of way.” There is an access through the dunes to the foreshore from the car park.
He states: “The information supplied and/or displayed on our e-planning site is not clear enough to allow me to establish the likely impact on these paths.
“As such, I would like to see more detail of the applicant’s proposals, particularly those that might affect the paths.”
It has been recommended that the core path remains open and free from obstruction before, during and after construction work begins and that any scheme planned to enhance the coastal path be submitted to the council for approval prior to any works beginning.
