NairnTown Centre Mini-Charrette

30th April – 1st May 2014

Development Context: policy

• Nairn Town Centre Development Brief (2011)

• A96 Corridor Development Framework (2007)

• Nairn South Strategic Masterplan (2013)

• Sandown Development Brief (2012)

• Inner Moray Firth proposed Local Development Plan (2013)

• Highland Wide Local Development Plan (2012)

• Nairnshire Local Plan (2000)

Development Context: master plans• In response to expansion pressure/ potential in Nairn:

– NICE Town Centre Action Plan

– A96 Corridor Masterplan (including a new town between Nairn and Inverness)

– Nairn South (319 housing units and associated infrastructure)

– Delnies and Sandown (to be developed considering each other)

A96 Corridor Development FrameworkMasterplan for the A96 overarches proposed developments for Nairn, including:•4,629 residential units•78,000 sq m of business space•50,000 sq m of industrial space•5,000 jobs•7,000 sq m of retail space•2 district centres•18,000 sq m of schools•3 hotels•165Ha of open space

Nairn Town Centre, Regeneration Area

NICE Town Centre Plan - MasterplanThe Masterplan includes:•Residential•Retail•Office•Food/Drink•Leisure•Public amenities•Transport improvements

Public Consultation

• Two public consultations used to guide the Charrette:

– Enquiry by Design, led by the Princes Trust as part of the Nairn South development process

– NICE survey issued prior to the Charrette to gain insight from members and locals

Enquiry by Design Findings

Strengths

The natural setting

River Nairn

Town Centre

Traditional neighbourhoods

Fishertown and the Harbour

Uniqueness of Nairn

Weaknesses

The A96 Corridor

Railway as a barrier

Town Centre in disrepair

Loss of Nairn’s uniqueness

Visions

Resolve the A96 Corridor traffic issues

Provide better access across railway

Revitalise the town centre

Enhance Nairn’s uniqueness

Improve networks of parks and open space

NICE Survey Results

Property Market Review

• Housing

• Retail

• Employment

• Leisure

HousingAffordable Housing

Market Housing– Large amount of private housing has already been built and is proposed around

the Kingsteps area

– 300 units at Nairn South refused and being appealed

Affordable requirement and housing market recovery (including retirement) are likely to revive development pressures in Nairn

24 16

24 units at Lochloy (mix of

council and housing

association)

16 units at former bus station (all

affordable units, within town

centre)

RetailRange of national and independent retailers:

– M&Co

– RS McColl

– Boots

– Semi-Chem

– The Flower Shop

– Strachan’s the Newsagent

– Clarks of Nairn

– Nairn Bookshop.

High Street has struggled as nationals have dis-invested; attracting new investment but more likely local businesses

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

116-118 High Street

80 Private individual

67 High Street 485 Leased to Nickel &

Dime

1-3 Leopald Street

Unknown Sold to Kilpatrick Property Group

80 High Street 46 Leased to Nairn

Laundry

Recent Deals

Retail

Vacancy/Availability

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

24-30 High St 222 Previously occupied

by DE Shoes

3B High St 139 Previously occupied by Burnett and Forbes

123-125 High St Unknown Previously occupied

by Ross Outdoor

Recent Closures

– Tradeway (March 7th 2014)

– Blockbuster

– WW Brown Butchers

– Ross Outdoors

– Cumfy Carpets

– Victoria Wine

– DE Shoes.

Retail

– Somerfield bought over by Co-op in 2008, recently refurbished in 2010

– £20m Sainsbury’s recently constructed in 2011

Supermarkets

Employment

Majority of offices in Town Centre or at Balmakeith Business Park:

– High Street has c. 22 units

– Balmakeith Business Park has c. 13 units

– Minority of offices in surrounding streets within the Town Centre

Low / local demand for employment property in Nairn due to proximity to Inverness

EmploymentOffice

Vacancy/Availability

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

60-62 King Street 310 4 units in total

64 King Street 23 Small office unit

Barron House, 86-88 High Street

697 Proposal to convert to residential units.

Unit 3, 3 Church Street

Small office unit

Wellington Gallery, Lodgehill Road

32Small office unit

Unit 8A2, Balmakeith Business Park

183 Office space within industrial estate

Industrial Vacancy/Availability

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

Store and workshop, Church Street

102 Small unit

Unit 2, Church Street

74 Small unit

Unit 8A1, Balmakeith Business Park

183

Previously occupied by Moray Firth Precision Engineering

Unit 9B Balmakeith Industrial Estate

194 Small unit on estate

6 Water Lane 46 Small unit

EmploymentRecent Office Deals

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

Barron House, 86-88 High Street 480 Sold in June 2013

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

10B Tom Semple Road, Balmakeith Industrial Estate

311 Investment, occupied by Moray College UHI.

Recent Office Investment Deals

Recent Industrial Deals

Address Size (sq.m) Comments

5-6 Tom Semple Road, Balmakeith Industrial Estate

604 Sold to T.O.M. Airdrie Ltd

15a-15b Tom Semple Road, Balmakeith Industrial Estate

466 Previously occupied by NDS Animal Feeds

Leisure

• Nairn has 10 hotels and 28 B&B’s and Guest Houses.

• No deals are recorded in Nairn since 2008.

• More leisure property becoming available than there are deals being made.