Catering for a wide variety of visitors at CNPA planning committee

The agenda for today’s Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting was dominated by projects aimed at supporting the visitor economy.

A small campervan site near Nethy Bridge and a self catering unit designed for disabled visitors at Killiehuntly near Kingussie were both approved. Meanwhile, a second self-catering unit on a different site at Killiehuntly was refused.

The increasing popularity of caravan and campervan holidays resulted in an application from a Nethy Bridge farmer for a small scale campervan park on agricultural land on the outskirts of the village to support demand for staycation-related holidays. The development will comprise 12 pitches for caravans or motorhomes to use along with associated infrastructure including car parking spaces, picnic area, fencing and waste disposal facilities.

At Killiehuntly – and following a site visit last month – two separate applications for self-catering holiday accommodation were considered. The first, overlooking Lochan nan Reamh, has been especially designed for those with limited mobility and will be fully accessible despite its seemingly remote location. The basic unit and the formation of an access track is the larger of the two units applied for by Wildland Ltd. The second, smaller building was refused planning consent by committee members due to adverse impacts on the landscape character in this location – closer to the River Tromie – and failing to comply with policy.

CNPA Planning Committee Convener, Gaener Rodger said: “The Committee were pleased to approve these planning applications that will make it easier for a wide range of people to visit and enjoy the Park. The Cairngorms National Park is an extremely popular visitor destination, especially since the pandemic as more people opt for a staycation.  We want to promote a wider accommodation offering for visitors but all applications must meet with policy and we need to take care not undermine the Park’s special qualities.”

To read the planning committee papers in full please go to: https://cairngorms.co.uk/working-together/meetings/meeting/planning-2022-02-25/