The Scottish Government has given the go-ahead for the Cairngorms National Park Authority to adopt the Local Development Plan (LDP), which the organisation submitted to Ministers in December last year for their consideration.

The LDP is the first ever development plan for the whole of the Park, with the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park extended to include Highland Perthshire in October 2010. The current Local Plan used by planners over the last five years was adopted before the boundary change so now officials will be able to work to a single development plan for the entire area, simplifying the process, bringing continuity across the Park and ensuring that the right development happens in the right place.

Scottish Government Ministers have instructed the CNPA to proceed to adopt the Local Development Plan for the Park making one change to a site boundary in the village of Carr-Bridge.

Murray Ferguson, the CNPA’s Director of Planning and Rural Development explained: “We’ve been asked today to revert to the original proposal that we consulted on during the LDP process.

“After considering the various objections during the examination of the LDP, the Department of Planning & Environmental Appeals Reporter had originally recommended a reduction in the size of site at Carr-Bridge and our board accepted that in November.

“However, Scottish Government Ministers have instructed us to adopt the Plan, with this modification to go back to the originally proposed larger site, and we will officially consider that at our board meeting on 27th March.”

Applications for the site in question at Carr-Bridge are due to go before the CNPA planning committee in a matter of weeks. “These applications will be assessed on their merits having regards to the terms of the development plan and any other material considerations”, said Mr Ferguson.