Minutes of Meeting Thursday 6th March 2025

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Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 6th March 2025 at Kilmorack Community Hall starting at 7.33pm.

Apologies:

Present: Andy Fraser, Iain Stewart, Graham Mackay, Roy Templeton, Mary Graham, Mark Hedderwick,  John Graham(secretary) Cllr Emma Knox, Cllr David Fraser      

Minutes of Meeting 5th December 2024: Proposed: Iain Stewart, Seconded: Andy Fraser

Police Report: No report.

Matters Arising:

  • Black Bridge replacement – SSEN have suggested a ten month closure to replace the bridge. Application will go in after Fanellen Application is launched. However THC have not approved it yet and there is some questions still to be answered. One questions to be put forward are access for Dog Walkers to the Groam and cyclists, school bus accesss and access to Belldrum Festival..
  • Field Beauly BESS response. Albeit the proposal is not in KCC district the impact will be felt far and wide and potentially should a fire ensue the toxic cloud may well impact The Groam, Wester Balblair and the neighbouring countryside. This may have a disastrous impact on livestock. Also the proximity to the Beauly River may well result in contamination and destruction of salmon stock. Concern was expressed on the paucity of objections on the ECU site. It is felt that few understand how to raise objections to Energy Consents. Roy Templeton has produced an excellent objection on behalf of KCC, which was approved and has been lodged with the ECU.
  • Ballach Wind Farm Consultation – Ongoing – the point was made to our Ward Councillors, referred to in the previous minutes, that the buffer zone that THC promoted previously should be paramount to any applications. Cumulative impact has gone beyond the acceptable.
  • Lovat BESS. – This was discussed with our ward councillors who area somewhat frustrated at the Planning Committee where David Fraser’s amendment was unable to get a seconder. Also somewhat frustrating was the fact that fire was not a planning matter.
  • 400KV OHL Presentation. Many of the Council attended the meetings and were somewhat frustrated at the lack of information at what was billed as the final meeting. Although a lot of information was available much was contradictory.
  • Aigas Community Forest SSEN Access. ACF were shocked to read in the press that SSEN was going forward with an access wayleave compulsory order. At the second consultation it was stated that the plan was for a one way haul road over the whole of Farley, Breakachy and exiting through the forest. Very different from previous statements that they would service one tower with limited traffic. We now hear of 24HGV movements per day plus diggers, cranes etc and MH suggested that health and safety would close the forest road for the duration of building. That is 40 weeks minimum and possibly up to three years. With no access to the forest that effectively closes the forest to the Community and the volunteers. We have written to Kate Forbes MSP and have received a response which suggested that she could ask SSEN to plant some trees for us. That suggests little on no support from Holyrood. Did we expect any different?
  • Verges – Highland Broadband – Little improvement but we are keeping in contact with THC to encourage restitution work at the end of the contract. THC Inspector to contact A Fraser.
  • Caulternich is being appealed to Energy Consents. Our presentation to THC will be forwarded and we are in communication with Ian Kelly as to whether further action is necessary.
  • Field Beauly is being presented direct to Energy Consents. As outwith our CC area we have not responded yet but we will look to address this.

Chairman’s Business

  • There was a question about a meeting at Kiltarlity regarding Fanellan which conflicts with our next meeting but as this is our AGM we decided to continue as is. Chairman to notify Kiltarlity CC.

Secretary –

  • Caulternich is being appealed to Energy Consents. Our presentation to THC has been forwarded by Ian Kelly. There was a general discussion on what more could be done but we are now at the mercy of the Reporter and Energy Consents Unit and the Minister. Recent approvals by the Minister overturning the recommendation of the Reporter to refuse concerns us.

Planning – No new applications.

Treasurer:

  • Insurance paid and Domain registration paid this month. Balance stands at £1988.90. We are chasing the Altyre/Toll grant.

ANOB:  

Meeting Closed: at 21.12hrs (9.12pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 3rd April 2025 AGM at Kilmorack Community Hall at 7.30pm. General meeting thereafter. 

Signed:

Andy Fraser, Chairman