KILMALLIE

Kilmallie Community Council (KCC) held a meeting on Monday August 27. The following matters were discussed:

Blar Mhor housing development – John McHardy from Highland Council and Stuart Graham from ThreeSixty Architecture attended to discuss their proposed housing development on land to the east of the Police Station. KCC had already submitted comments on the two related planning applications based on input at the consultation event (18/03314/ MSC and 18/03647/PIP). The current application is for planning in principle which would normally just cover the strategic issues including transport implications and environmental impact. Mr McHardy explained that they had provided more detail than usual on the design of the individual houses in order to speed up the process towards a full planning application. However, there were many major issues associated with the development that still needed to be considered. Many of these issues relate to whether the site is an appropriate

place for a major housing development, and how it would impact on environmental obligations, the town and wider area.

Pedestrian crossing on A830 at Corpach Co-op – The consultation event was advertised in the newsletter and notices were also delivered to the properties most likely to be affected, including the Co-op. The proposed design that was discussed resulted in loss of some parking spaces on both sides of the road in order to meet the minimum visibility distances for traffic at 30mph. For eastbound traffic, eight spaces are lost and three retained; for westbound traffic, five spaces are

lost and six retained. In addition the bus stop was moved 60m east such that the bus would stop on the road rather than in a layby. Both of the current traffic islands would also be removed. There was considerable discussion about the merits of this proposal, but it was acknowledged that it was the best that was likely to be achieved in order to provide a controlled crossing for those who really need it to allow them to cross the road with confidence.

Coire Glas pumped storage scheme Three members of KCC had met with Corinna Scholes and Sean Kelly of SSE on July 12 to discuss their proposed scheme. An earlier scheme

had been given planning permission and the current discussions related to a proposal for a larger scheme with higher generating capacity.

The main aspect that will affect Kilmallie related to this development is the transport of rock. The current estimates of 3.9 million tons are maximum ‘worst case’ scenarios.

This would require around 80,000 lorry movements or transport by canal. All agreed that this level of road traffic would not be acceptable. SSE was meeting with Scottish Canals to discuss transport by canal and said that this was its preferred option. Barges would take around 1,000 tonnes.