Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of meeting held at the Memorial Hall,

Fort Augustus on 31st January 2024

Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon - Chair (DM)

Helen Clay - Secretary (HC)

Mike Anderson - Treasurer (MA)

Claire Pegrum (CP)

Clare Levings (CL)

Jenny Findlay (JF)

Cllr. David Fraser (DF)

Apologies:

Cllr. Chris Ballance

Minute Taker: Barty Jones

Culachy Windfarm (Fred Olsen): Representatives gave an update about the proposed project which has been submitted to the Planning Dept and how they intend to erect sound monitors which will be deployed regarding the noise levels from pylons and more equipment should be fitted before any more pylons are put up. Discussions from the CC and members of the public followed.

Glen Affric and Loch Ness National Park:

Representatives of the Strathglass Community Council discussed the possibility of a new National Park for Glen Affric and Loch Ness with the pros and cons of the idea. They notified the CC that there is a survey available on the website regarding the idea and a discussion followed.

Previous Minutes:

Proposed by HC seconded by CL

Position of Vice Chair

HC elected position of Vice-chair, Proposed by DM, seconded by CL

CP elected position of Secretary, Proposed by DM, seconded by HC

MA re-elected Treasurer, Proposed by DM, seconded by HC

Matters arising:

Redburn Traffic - Issues raised about traffic causing problems by parking on verges to look at Highland cows are still ongoing. Concerns were also raised about abandoned HGV trailers being parked and abandoned unlit in laybys and left overnight. DM to contact all small tour operators to raise issue.

Janitor’s House - Janitor’s house discussed if it could potentially be used to attract teachers and be used as a house.

Glenmoriston Estates - ongoing.

A82 - DM to contact Ken Hossack (BEAR Scotland) to raise awareness of responsibilities of BEAR on clearing access on roads, paths and the bridge during adverse weather. Concerns about the state of the canal bridge. DM to follow up the issue. Traffic lights at the Kirton Memorial have been restored.

Oich Road – ongoing.

Fort Augustus public toilets - ongoing.

Police Report:

The CC are not receiving any kind of police report. Although we have been told that there is a newsletter that CC should receive containing a link regarding police activity in the area, nothing was forthcoming.

Treasurer’s Report:

CC now receiving statements every four months. The account balance is £6,088.15.

DM to contact the Legion regarding invoice for the wreaths for the Remembrance Service.

Renewables:

Loch Ness Pump Storage: DM and HC attended a meeting in Invermoriston the previous evening where Brian Shaw, director of Ness District Salmon Fishery Board came along to discuss the proposed project and the possible effects on the landscape, biodiversity and water fluctuations. Concerns and objections can be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website Https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00003398 by 23^rd February. CC will write a letter.

Coire Glas - No further changes, no liaison meeting has occurred since 12th December 2023.

Tomchrasky - Current state is in the next steps and the CC have received an invitation to meet as they reach determination.

JF agreed to come on board to help CP with issues on Renewables.

Planning and Licensing Applications:

Planning Applications Validated 29/11/23 – 31/01/24

Ref: 23/05834/PNO Location of Works: Land 95M SE of Dundreggan Dam Glenmoriston Description of Works: Application under Regulation 62 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 for ground investigation works associated with a replacement transformer Applicant: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.

Ref: 23/05692/PNO Location of Works: Land 1000M NW of Balnacarn Dalchreichart Glenmoriston Description of Works: Formation of access track. Applicant: Forestry and Land Scotland.

Ref: 23/05794/PNO Location of Works: Land 1340M NE of Achadh Nan Darach Aberchalder Invergarry Description of Works: Formation of forestry access track. Applicant: Forestry and Land Scotland.

Ref: 23/05783/PNO Location of Works: Land 900M NW Of Wildwood Auchterawe Fort Augustus Description of Works: Formation of access track. Applicant: Forestry and Land Scotland.

Ref: 23/05803/PNO Location of Works: Land 2170M SW Of Tomchrasky Farmhouse Dalchreichart Glenmoriston Description of Works: Formation of track.

Applicant: Scottish Woodlands.

Ref: 23/05864/FUL Location of Works: Land 5300M SW Of Ceannacroc Lodge Glenmoriston Description of Works: Installation of equipment cabin, generator, fuel tank and 9.5m high wind turbine Applicant: Airwave Solutions Ltd.

Ref: 24/00071/PNO Location of Works: Land 5300M NW Of Ceannacroc Forest Radio Station Glenmoriston Description of Works: Peatland restoration scheme Applicant: Ceannacroc Estate.

Ref: No: 24/00240/FUL Location of Works: Land 2210M NW Of Tomchrasky Farmhouse Dalchreichart Glenmoriston Description of Works: Erection of 100m high meteorological mast. Applicant: EPower Ltd.

Ref: 24/00258/PIP Location of Works: Land West of Heather Cottage Dalchreichart Glenmoriston Description of Works: Erection of house. Applicant: Lloyd Fursdon.

Community Amenity Issues:

Concerns raised over an unstable vehicle that has been abandoned at Inchnacardoch Bay for around two months. A decision was made to notify the BEAR about the seriousness of the situation in the hope that they will offer to remove it and erect crash barriers as it’s a bad accident area.

Reports of a large number of trees down around the area due to recent adverse weather.

Discussed setting up a Resilience Group for helping elderly and vulnerable residents with no communication, heat or water due to power cuts and storms. Hopefully all community groups would come together, including the Highland Council to facilitate this.

Inchnacardoch Bay - HC had spoken to FAGCC previously about taking over Inchnacardoch Bay but they had said no previously. She will bring it up again at the next meeting with them.

A.O.C.B

· The Forestry car park at Torr Dhuin has had a payment meter installed, payment is made through the Ringo App

· A bus stop at Alt-Na-Criche has been asked for, DM to contact David Summers at Highland Council.

· The Ring of Pine at Invermoriston is rotting and has become wobbly, DM to contact Phil Waite at the Highland Council.

· Achnaconoran Road has been affected by flooding once again after all the rain and snow. It has been suggested that a sleeping policeman at the right position would help divert the water, DM to contact John Taylor at Highland Council.

· Invermoriston toilets - the septic tank at the Millennium Hall is leaking, ongoing.

· Invermoriston residents asking why the road speed hasn’t been dropped down to 20mph. Transport Scotland deal with trunk road not the Highland Council.

· Battery Storage - Some lorries not using the correct route to battery storage at Auchterawe.

· Ardachy Road - Highland Council will be patching up potholes.

· There are currently traffic measuring devices through Fort Augustus to see how the 20mph limit is working.

· The no entry signs on the canal-side are not very obvious if coming from the canal car park area, arrows on the road need redoing.

· Road Barrier – The CC have been asked about a barrier erected at the footpath from Caledonian Court.

Closed Meeting after Community Council

This meeting took place after public meeting which was attended by some members of the public who wanted to be co-opted onto the Community Council. A discussion took place and it was agreed to co-opt Daniel Clark (Fort Augustus), Rachel Hayes and Leanne Findlay (both Glenmoriston).

Next meeting is at the Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus

on Wednesday, 29^th February 2024 at 7.30 pm