Planning Committee - January 2026

This document contains the agenda for a Planning Committee meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, scheduled for 23 January 2026 at 11am in Grantown on Spey. A key item for discussion is a proposal to extend Invercauld Caravan Park in Braemar, which involves adding 18 motorhome pitches and six static caravan pitches, along with new landscaping and a timber boardwalk. The committee is recommended to approve this proposal, subject to certain conditions. The agenda also includes approving minutes from previous meetings, hearing declarations of interest, receiving an update on how planning rules are being followed, and confirming the date for their next meeting on 13 March 2026.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Planning Committee meeting held on 12 December 2025. During the meeting, the committee approved an application for four houses in Boat of Garten after addressing concerns about drainage, potential impact on local wildlife, and access. A key decision was to object to the Kyllachy Wind Farm proposal because members believed the height of the turbines and the required aviation lighting would significantly harm the special landscape qualities of the National Park. Additionally, an updated Planning Enforcement Charter was approved, and the committee received information regarding a consultation on compulsory purchase reform in Scotland, updates on planning call-in criteria, and other specific planning applications.

This document contains a committee report from the Cairngorms National Park Authority recommending approval, subject to conditions, for Invercauld Estate's proposal to extend the Invercauld Caravan Park in Braemar. The plans involve adding 18 motorhome pitches, six static caravan pitches, a timber boardwalk connecting to an existing path, and various landscaping works. While the site itself is not at flood risk, an accessible boardwalk is proposed to ensure safe access and exit for the existing park during flood events, a measure supported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The proposal also includes extensive tree planting, hedgerow creation, and the installation of bat and bird boxes to enhance biodiversity, with strict environmental management plans required to protect protected species and the River Dee Special Area of Conservation during construction. The development aims to integrate well into the landscape through careful design and landscaping, contributing positively to local tourism and supporting active travel within the village.

This document contains planning application materials for an extension to the Braemar Caravan Park by Invercauld Estate, identified as application 2025/0242/DET and dated 23 January 2026. The plans propose new caravan pitches and cabins, along with a new boardwalk and internal roads to enhance access. A strong focus is placed on environmental improvements, including extensive planting of native trees such as birch, aspen, and rowan, mixed hedging, and wildflower seeding to boost biodiversity and screen the development. The designs also detail site-specific infrastructure for foul drainage, connecting to the existing system, and surface water management using filter strips and porous surfaces.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for a proposed extension to Invercauld Caravan Park, which involves creating 18 motorhome pitches and 6 static caravan pitches. The appraisal specifically looked at how this development might affect two important protected areas: the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Ballochbuie Special Protection Area (SPA). For the River Dee SAC, which is a crucial habitat for freshwater pearl mussels, Atlantic salmon, and otters, there were concerns about potential pollution during construction. However, by implementing measures such as pre-construction protected species surveys, carefully timing the work to avoid the Atlantic salmon spawning season, and putting in place a detailed Pollution Prevention Plan, it was concluded that there would be no adverse long-term impact on the SAC's integrity. For the Ballochbuie SPA, important for capercaillie, the assessment considered how more visitors might increase disturbance. It found that while there might be a small increase in human activity on nearby paths, this wouldn't significantly raise overall recreation levels or lead to off-path activities that would disturb the capercaillie, meaning no additional mitigation is needed for the SPA. In summary, with the specified protective measures for the River Dee SAC, the development is not expected to harm the integrity of either protected area.

This document contains comments from Braemar Community Council about planning application 2025/0242/DET for Invercauld Caravan Park in Braemar. Although the council couldn't hold a formal meeting within the preferred response time, its members were fully aware of the application. After consulting its members, Braemar Community Council supports the development, believing it will add important accommodation for tourists in the village, which relies heavily on visitors.

This document contains a letter from the Aberdeenshire South Access Panel (ASAP) to Richard Heggie, dated 14 October 2025, concerning planning application APP/2025/1400. This application proposes extending an existing caravan site with 18 motorhome pitches and six static caravan pitches. ASAP recommends making at least one static caravan accessible by providing a ramp to BS8300 standards and an accessible bathroom, and ensuring disabled parking spaces have a hard surface. They highlight that these recommendations would help the development meet its duties under The Equality Act 2010 and also benefit from the significant market represented by disabled people, who have a UK-wide disposable income of over £50 billion.