Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community
Council
Minutes from 30th November 2022 at Memorial
Hall, Fort Augustus
Deirdre MacKinnon (DM) Chair
Iain MacKnocher
(IM) Vice-chair
Helen Clay (HC) Secretary
Cllr. Chris Ballance (CB)
Cllr. David Fraser Cllr (DF)
In
Attendance:
Lynne West
Kenneth Knott
Susan Knott
The meeting started with a
presentation by Gilbert Stephenson and Jennifer Peltier for the Tomchrasky Windfarm.
Tomchrasky is close to going to planning and the
application will be submitted within the next fortnight.
Tomchrasky will consist of fourteen 185m
high turbines. 84 MW windfarm
with 50 MW battery storage. Existing infrastructure at Ceannacroc
will be used. Dalchreichart is the nearest with Invermoriston being 6km away and Fort Augustus being 13km
from the site. It is a high wind speed site with no ecology, ornithology
or landscape designations. The project is likely to sit in planning for 1-2
years, construction to start 2028 and connection in 2030.
Previous Minutes:
The October Minutes were proposed
by JD and seconded by CP.
Road markings - ongoing due
to weather
Glenmoriston Estate access –
ongoing and in the hands of the HC legal dept.
Scottish Canals - ongoing. HC
to contact Ailsa Andrews again
Unauthorised signage -
ongoing
Oich Road - DM spoke to Shane Manning about parking
lines which are too close to the junction. MA suggested getting road cones to
put out along Oich Road on Remembrance Sundays as
none were put out this year which was a problem.
Mark MacKay is Charles
Stephen’s replacement as our Ward Manager at Highland Council
Police - The area doesn't
have a full complement of Police at the moment, 2 officers with another 1 on
sick leave
Treasurer’s
Report:
The bank balance is £4204.49.
DM to contact Highland Council for for our annual
grant payment.
Police
Report:
No police report was given
this month. HC has been in contact with one of the local Police Officers
regarding the layout of the reports and the area it covers. We have been
informed that the report will now be sent out monthly from the Community Beats
team in Inverness. DM to speak to local police and take it further to the Chief
Constable if needed.
Loch Liath
Windfarm (north of Bhlaraidh)
Community
Issues:
·
A82
meeting - DM attended a meeting with Glenurquhart and
Lochend, Abriachan (Inverness
West). It was agreed to ask for signage for animals crossing and Keep Left road markings. Also asked for Invermoriston
to have a speed reduction in place with 30mph villages to go to 20mph
·
Invermoriston recreation field - The meeting was well attended with 2
contractors chosen. One for the field at Riverside Park (subject to extended
lease or licence for 10 years as currently only 2 years left to run on present lease)
and one for the Millennium Hall car park.
·
Invermoriston Shop - Plunkett Foundation are sending a business advisor. Residents
are in favour of a community shop run mostly by volunteers.
·
Christmas
Lights - FAGCC have put up the Christmas trees and the Highland
Council will switch onthe lights on the 1st December.
·
Great
Glen Trading Centre - has now been taken over by Penny Petroleum and will run
as a Spar shop. They shut for two days with very short notice leaving the
locals without a shop or fuel.
·
Hardware
Store - being bought over by FAGCC.
·
Grit
bins – A grit bin is now in place at Dalchreichart.
BEAR Scotland grit the road but is council owned and classifed
as a secondary road.
22/05214/ FUL - Application
for residential accomodation at Inchnacardoch
Hotel, Fort Augustus. Demolition of shed and erection of 6
bedroom block.
22/05075/ FUL - Works
erection of car port at Braeside Lodge, Dalchreichart,
22/04967/STLENQ - short term
let enquiry, Hill Cottage,
Fort Augustus.
Toilets - ongoing. Barriers are
often broken and toilets not cleaned enough. Need sa full time or two part time cleaners.
Bunoich Brae - fencing down along the footpath so no hand rail. HC to email DF
Strathoich Cemetery - Complaints about a tractor damaging
grass and making a mess at the graves. This was due to HC diggers at a recent from
funeral, DM to contact Highland Council cemetery dept.
Achnaconeran Road - JD says the road needs upgraded. DM to
speak with Alan Johnstone
Footbridge over the burn by
Village Hall - DM to deal with.
Columba’s Well - Lynne West
has twice reported the railings being rotten and dangerous.