Park Authority explores accommodation options

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is reviewing working space for members of staff, who are based in offices in Grantown-on-Spey and Ballater.

No decisions have been made; the review is purely to explore options at this stage, and staff and communities would be consulted before any change took place.

The space restraints of buildings currently used and commitments to reduce the park authority’s carbon footprint are among the reasons for the rethink.

Effective working with partners such as Scottish Natural Heritage and other public sector bodies will be another major factor in shaping future workplace options.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has appointed consultants Atriseal Ltd to research possibilities in the area.

“We have initiated this review to address the space restrictions of current accommodation,” explained David Cameron, the CNPA’s head of corporate services. “Other considerations are the authority’s environmental action plan, which seeks to minimise our business impact on the environment, and our need to ensure that we are working as effectively as possible with our partners.

“In keeping with Scottish Government direction to ensure that services are as efficient and effective as possible, and fully integrated with other public bodies, we are undertaking this review in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and other partner bodies.

“We have appointed Atisreal Ltd to identify and review potential accommodation options within the National Park which may meet the long-term needs of the CNPA and its partners”, he added.

“We expect to receive their report at the end of January. Park authority and SNH representatives will then evaluate the options against a number of criteria including cost, environmental sustainability and impact on current staff settlement patterns. This evaluation will result in a preferred option on which we will be able to consult with local communities.

“No decision has been taken on any accommodation changes at this time. The review and the information to be supplied by Atisreal Ltd will inform future decision-making on the most appropriate accommodation base for the CNPA and its partners in the long term.”