Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 - March 2021

This document contains a notice that the Cairngorms National Park Authority intends to adopt the Proposed Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2020. The plan has been modified after examination by the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals in 2020. Due to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, paper copies of the modified plan are not available, but it can be viewed online at www.cairngorms.co.uk. For more information, you can call 01479 873535 or email [email protected].

This document contains non-statutory guidance for Policy 2 of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, which focuses on supporting economic growth within the Cairngorms National Park. It provides information on how planning applications with potential economic impacts should be prepared and assessed, outlining the framework for considering how development should support sustainable economic growth, with emphasis on town centers first, tourist accommodation, and other tourism and leisure developments. The guidance also highlights the importance of protecting existing economic activity, encouraging developments that contribute to local economic needs and aligning with the Cairngorms National Park Economic Action Plan, while directing readers to resources like Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway for advice and information.

This document contains non-statutory guidance for Policy 4, Natural Heritage, of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021. It provides information on how to consider and safeguard natural heritage interests in planning applications within the Cairngorms National Park, including habitats and wildlife. The document outlines the mitigation hierarchy, the process for considering natural heritage, providing sufficient information and the need for ecological surveys. It also details specific guidelines for international and national designations, woodlands and protected species. The purpose of the document is to ensure that development proposals minimize impacts on natural heritage interests and comply with Policy 4 of the Local Development Plan.

This document contains non-statutory guidance for Policy 5 - Landscape, which is part of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021. It applies to planning applications within the Cairngorms National Park and aims to ensure development proposals conserve or enhance the landscape character and special landscape qualities of the area, including wildness. The document outlines landscape considerations, special landscape qualities, National Scenic Areas, Wild Land Areas, and landscape character within the park. It also addresses private roads and ways, assessing the effects of development on landscape interests, and provides other sources of information for planning purposes.

This document contains non-statutory guidance for the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, specifically focusing on Policy 7 which pertains to renewable energy. It outlines considerations for planning applications involving renewable energy systems in the National Park, explaining when planning permission is required and referencing the Scottish Government's guidance on permitted developments. The guidance emphasizes minimizing adverse impacts on the landscape, community, natural and cultural heritage and encourages careful siting, design, and mitigation strategies for various renewable energy technologies like hydro-electricity, wind, biomass, solar, and heat pumps. It provides links to NatureScot and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for further advice and resources.

This document contains non-statutory guidance for Policy 8 of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, focusing on open space, sport, and recreation. It provides direction for planning applications to protect and enhance these assets, aligning with the goal of promoting active and healthy lifestyles. The guidance outlines criteria for new developments and redevelopments, emphasizing sustainable design, community needs, and access to path networks. It also stresses the importance of considering the impact on local communities and the need for alternatives if facilities are reduced, directing people to the Cairngorms Core Paths Plan for information on public access rights.

This document contains non-statutory guidance for Policy 9, which relates to cultural heritage, within the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021. It gives advice on how to consider cultural heritage interests in planning applications within the Cairngorms National Park, covering topics such as listed buildings, scheduled monuments, conservation areas, battlefields, and archaeological sites. The guidance emphasizes safeguarding cultural heritage by repairing and restoring structures, repurposing them, or replacing them as a last resort and also gives information on what to do if human remains are discovered during ground investigation. It advises applicants to demonstrate how their proposals avoid adverse effects on cultural heritage and to include supporting information in their planning applications. The document provides links to various resources and contacts for further information and guidance.

This document contains non-statutory guidance supporting the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021. It applies to planning applications within the National Park and should be used when preparing and assessing applications that could impact resources and waste management. The guidance covers topics such as water resources (surface water, supply, quantity, quality and drainage), flooding (risk assessments and management), sewerage connections, waste management and minimisation, landfill, minerals, carbon-rich soils, and contaminated land. It outlines policies and provides advice on how development should support the sustainable conservation, extraction, and use of resources while aligning with the National Park's goals, with proposals assessed against all relevant policies in the Local Development Plan.