Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of meeting held at the Memorial Hall,

Fort Augustus on 29th February 2024

Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon - Chair (DM)

Helen Clay - Vice-Chair (HC)

Claire Pegrum – Secretary (CP)

Clare Levings (CL)

Jenny Findlay (JF)

Daniel Clark (DC)

Rachel Hayes (RH)

Leanne Findlay (LF)

Apologies:

Cllr. Chris Ballance

Cllr. David Fraser

Minute Taker: Barty Jones

Tomchrasky Wind Farm: Representatives gave an update about the proposed project of putting up Wind Turbines at Tomcharsky and its benefit for the local community, presenting the offer to the CC and notifying them that they are wanting their decision of whether they are for it, so they can move on. Discussions from the CC and members of the public followed.

Previous Minutes:

Amendment to the draft minutes under AOCB regarding the road speed in Invermoriston and it dropping down to 30mph, not 20mph as previously stated.

Proposed by CL seconded by JF

Matters Arising:

Redburn Traffic - No update from BEAR about putting bollards up preventing vehicles from parking on verges, ongoing

Janitor’s House - No update regarding the proposal of the Janitor’s house to potentially be used to attract teachers and be used as a house, decision to organise a meeting with Highland Council, Parent Council and CC to discuss the issue.

Glenmoriston Estates – Ongoing with solicitors.

A82 - DM notified BEAR regarding two trees opposite Dalreoch in imminent danger of falling but has not heard back from them. DM to follow up BEAR.

Oich Road - ongoing

Ardachy Road - DM has been told the road will be done this coming year. Concerns raised that it needs to be done sooner due to deteriorating state - Ongoing

Fort Augustus public toilets - ongoing.

Concerns over the Viewcatcher on the GGW (previously minuted as The Ring of Pine in error) at Invermoriston is rotting and has become wobbly, ongoing. DM to contact Phil Waite at the Highland Council.

Achnaconoran Road - DM has contacted John Taylor at Highland Council, regarding the state of the road following the recent bad weather, however, no reply was forthcoming. DM to follow up issue.

Invermoriston Toilets - Ongoing

Battery Storage - DM has been in touch with the lorries not using the correct route to the battery storage at Auchterawe, who have stated they will tell contractors to use the correct route.

Police Report:

CC has received a police report containing a link regarding police activity in the area.

Treasurer’s Report:

The account balance is currently £6,010.15.

15th January a cheque was made out for £50 DM regarding repayment for flowers as a gift to Angela MacCormick for checking the CC annual acounts.

14th February a cheque was made out for £78 for the British Legion for the wreaths used at the Remembrance Service.

Renewables:

CP and JF attended a Substation Liaison Group meeting the previous week, where SSE have decided to continue the liaison group due to the number of ongoing projects.

Coire Glas - Consultation period for Coire Glas has been extended to August. CC had already made their representations back in May 2023.

Skye T Project - SSEN have started making access tracks in the forest.

Bhlaraidh Wind Farm - Highland Council Planning Meeting in March.

Beauly-Denny Powerlines - SSEN has put up sound monitoring equipment following issues regarding noises across the network, and are having internal discussions - ongoing.

400KW Upgrade - There was a public meeting a couple of days after the Liaison Group meeting not much has changed, they are just going to greatly increase the size of the substation.

Projects will now start contributing to a fund to pay for clearing up afterwards.

Issues with the trees which projects replant trees are dying.

Andrew Paterson is in now charge of the Substation.

Culachy Windfarm (Fred Olsen) - CC was required to take a stance on the Culachy Consultation. Unanimous agreement for CP to write up an objection on behalf of the CC to be sent in. DM to try and get more community feedback via either setting up a public meeting with SSE and Kate Forbes to further discuss the issue and/or notify community via social media and leaflets so community can contribute to the objection. Query raised over the possibility of hiring a Planning Consultant.

Planning and Licensing Applications:

Planning Applications Validated 31/01/24 – 27/02/24

Ref: 24/00359/SCOP

Location: Millennium Windfarm Glenmoriston

Proposal: Request for EIA Scoping Response for the erection and operation of a wind farm, comprising

8 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 200m, energy storage facility, and ancillary

infrastructure

Applicant: Renantis UK Limited (Previously called Falck)

Ref: 24/00403/S75D

Location: Fort Augustus Caravan Park

Proposal: Application to discharge s75 agreement (09/00072/OUTIN Erect 18 houses)

Applicant: Robert Girvan

Community Amenity Issues:

Inchnacardoch Bay - CC have found paperwork to prove ownership of Inchnacardoch Bay, HC to take deeds to FAGCC which prove ownership in view of the decision to possibly offer ownership to the FAGCC.

West End Garage has removed the unstable vehicle which had been abandoned at Inchnacardoch Bay.

Resilience Group - FAGCC to head up the possibility of forming a Resilience Group. A few groups to get together - 3 Glens, Senior Citizens etc. Meeting to take place on 21st March.

AOCB:

● Thanks to the FAGCC, Community Soup and Sandwiches will commence in the Fort Augustus Village Hall on Wednesday 13th March and will be running fortnightly for an initial 3 months.

● An area of footway which has broken up in The Riggs area. DM to email John Taylor about the issue.

● DM to write up a list of names that commonly appear in meetings for future use to assist those who don’t know these people.

● Query raised over the result of the Traffic Speed and Pedestrian Count that was carried out, how much money was raised from the car parking and also the progress on reducing the speed limit.

● Part of the playpark fence in Abertarff has blown over during the storm, query about replacement.

● Concerns raised about the amount of dog fouling occurring around the village, especially around the School Grounds, Abertarff and the Convent Woods. DM to contact Nicola MacEwan, the HC dog warden.

● Steps in the school grounds are in a bad state with bits missing and needing repaired or replaced.

● Concerns raised over the raw sewage which has leaked into the school grounds

● The traffic cones outside the school have disappeared.

● Concerns about a pipe going into the River Oich from Great Glen Trading Centre.

● Concerns about a boat and trailer with the towing hitch sticking out into the pavement at The Riggs which could be dangerous.

● A mess has been left after trees have been cut down along the tow path fence near golf course presumably by Canal Trust Landscapers.

● Trees blocking access roads halfway up Glendoe hill.

● Top Canal Gate is in need of repair after damage from a boat and the surrounding area requires attention including a sunken fence. DM to contact Ailsa Andrews at Scottish Canals.

● The sign at Invermoriston needs updating as it still contains the Post Office on the sign.

Next meeting is at the Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus on Wednesday,

27th March 2024 at 7.30pm