Planning Committee - June 2023

This document contains a notice of meetings for the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 9 June 2023. The meetings will be held in a hybrid format, with the Planning Committee meeting at 10.30am and the Formal Board meeting at 1.30pm. Both meetings will be streamed live on the @TheCaringorms YouTube channel, and the agenda and papers will be available on the National Park Authority website the Friday before the meeting.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 9 June 2023. The meeting will cover welcome and apologies, declarations of interest, and approval of the minutes from the 28 April 2023 meeting. The committee will also discuss detailed planning permissions for the erection of flats in Aviemore, the erection of houses in Grantown on Spey and the renewal of permission for an art gallery building, reconfiguration of a car park, and installation of air source heat pumps at House of Bruar. Finally, they will have other business (AOCB), take an item in confidential session, approve confidential minutes and set a date for the next meeting: 11 August 2023.

This document contains the draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) headquarters on 28 April 2023. During the meeting, the committee addressed several planning permission applications including the relocation of a snow factory, the construction of a forestry track, and the erection of flats. They approved the snow factory relocation with amended conditions to ensure restoration and security, refused the forestry track construction, deferred a decision on the flats pending more visualisations, and approved the Clashindarroch Wind Farm extension. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 June 2023, and the public session concluded at 12.03pm before moving to a confidential business session.

This document contains information about a Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee site visit to Dulicht Court in Grantown-on-Spey on 9 June 2023, regarding planning application 2022/0270/DET for the erection of 19 houses. The purpose of the visit is to help Planning Committee members understand the site's physical context and the land it occupies. The document outlines advice and requirements for the day, including following instructions, reading the Cairngorms Planning Advice Note, and dressing appropriately for the weather. It also provides an itinerary, with meeting at Dulicht Court at 9.30am, viewing the site, and walking along pavements and roads to observe relevant features, with the site visit concluding at approximately 9.50am.

This document contains a risk assessment for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee site visit to Dulicht Court, Grantown-on-Spey on 9 June 2023. The assessment, dated 31 May 2023 and signed by Ed Swales, identifies potential hazards like exposure to Covid-19, road traffic, and extreme weather. For each hazard, the assessment notes the people exposed, the potential harm, the risk rating without controls, and the planned controls to reduce risk. The document also includes a risk rating key and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, noting that the visit will be cancelled if extreme weather is forecast or if weather conditions on site are extreme. Gavin Miles checked the document.

This document contains a planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for the erection of three flats, omission of three houses, relocation of a footpath and associated works at Horse Field, North of Scandinavian Village, Aviemore. The application, submitted by Tulloch Homes Ltd, was called in on 16 January 2023 and the recommendation is to approve the application, subject to conditions. The planning considerations include design, scale, landscape impacts, impact on ecology, parking, drainage, and developer contributions. While there were concerns from the public regarding flooding, design, and amenity impacts, the Park Authority concluded that the proposal aligns with relevant policies and the collective aims of the National Park, warranting approval with specific conditions, including amended road construction consent and security arrangements for bicycle and bin stores.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix 1, application number 2023/0019/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The document includes a location plan of the site and surrounding area, along with a layout plan for phase 3 remix. It also contains elevation drawings and floor plans for block 4 and bin/cycle store along with site sections. Finally, there are aerial images of the site looking north and south with annotations. The Planning Application Ref. No. is 2023/0019/DET and it is for the erection of three flats, omission of three houses, relocation of footpath and associated works (amendment to 05/00209/REMBS).

This document contains community council comments for planning application 22/05913/FUL, regarding the property located at Horse Field To North Of Scandinavian Village The Aviemore Centre Grampian Road, Aviemore. The application proposes the erection of three flats, the omission of three houses, relocation of a footpath and associated works. Aviemore & Vicinity Community Council objects to steps on the realigned rural pathway to connect to the existing Aviemore Orbital Path. They suggest the pathway should wind to reduce the steepness, so that steps are not needed and the pathway is accessible for everyone.

This document contains representations and objections for planning applications 22/05913/FUL and 2023/0019/DET, relating to a proposal for the erection of three flats, the omission of three houses, the relocation of a footpath, and associated works at Horse Field to the north of Scandinavian Village, The Aviemore Centre, Grampian Road, Aviemore. A large number of objections are raised by neighbours and members of the public including concerns about increased flood risk, overdevelopment, loss of privacy, noise and light pollution, traffic, the impact on the character of the area, the safety of the orbital path, and potential damage to wildlife habitats. Objections also highlighted the developer's non-compliance with previous planning conditions and SEPA's flood risk policy.

This document contains a general representation regarding agenda item 5, appendix 3b, application 2023/0019/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority meeting on 9 June 2023. The representation is an email from a member of the public expressing concerns about a proposed development to build three flats, remove three houses, relocate a footpath and do associated works. Their concerns include the development being outside their living room window, the high prices of the properties, the potential for them to be used as holiday homes or bed and breakfasts, and the lack of affordable housing in the area. They also mention potential negative impacts on the future sale of their property and feeling uncomfortable with people parking outside their window and being able to see inside.

This document contains a planning application for the erection of 19 houses at 29 Dulicht Court, Grantown on Spey. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) planning committee reviewed the application, which seeks to vary a previous permission for 10 building plots, and recommends approval subject to certain conditions and a developer contribution. The development site is located within an area allocated for housing in the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan. A Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was undertaken with policies relating to tackling the climate and nature crises, biodiversity, natural places, natural heritage, design and placemaking, resources and rural development considered as part of the approval process. The approval is subject to conditions around construction management, surface water drainage, traffic management, landscaping, tree protection, and provision of bat and bird boxes. A financial contribution of £5,000 towards active travel improvements in Grantown-on-Spey is also required.

This document contains plans for agenda item 6, appendix 1, regarding application 2022/0270/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The plans concern a housing development at Dulicht Court Phase 2 in Grantown on Spey by RS Mcleod Limited. It includes architectural drawings for two and three-bedroom villas, plus surface water management plans, drainage layouts, and site levels. G & D Engineering Services prepared the Surface Water Management Plan. The site is being developed in phases, and the application seeks to change the plan for Phase 2b to include three detached houses and 16 semi-detached houses, and proposes a new surface water sewer system for plots 53-61 which will discharge to the Kylintra Burn through a new Detention Basin.

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal for planning reference 2022/0270/DET, concerning the erection of 19 houses with changes to 10 previously approved properties, dated 19 April 2023. Karen Aldridge, a Planning Ecological Advice Officer, appraised the project, with review from NatureScot. The appraisal considers the potential impact on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Anagach Woods Special Protection Area (SPA), including species like Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, sea lamprey, otter and capercaillie. The assessment concludes that, with the implementation of mitigation measures from previous planning applications and maintaining a minimum 10 metre buffer during construction, the conservation objectives for the River Spey SAC and Anagach Woods SPA can be met, preventing adverse effects on site integrity.

This document contains representations and objections to planning application 2022/0270/DET for the erection of 19 houses at 29 Dulicht Court, Grantown on Spey. One neighbor expressed concerns about the impact of the development on their privacy, drainage, and the local environment. The neighbor also raised concerns about flooding risks and anti-social behavior. Another resident objects to several aspects of the planning application, including mistakes and omissions in the application, landscaping plans, SUDs (Sustainable Drainage Systems) pond design, flood risk assessment, environmental considerations, and housing design. This resident believes the application should be rejected until more information is provided.

This document contains agenda item 6, appendix 3b for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) meeting on 9 June 2023. It includes a representation, or a statement of concern, that was made concerning planning application 2022/0270/DET. The representation is from a neighbour who received a notification letter and has concerns about access and disruption during construction. The neighbour raises questions about safe pedestrian access, construction working times, access routes within the site, and road cleaning to prevent dirt on residential streets.

This document contains a planning application to renew permission for the erection of an art gallery building, reconfiguration of a car park, and installation of air source heat pumps at the House of Bruar, located off the A9 near Pitagowan. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee is set to review the proposal, which has been recommended for approval subject to certain conditions, on 7 September 2023. The application seeks to extend the decision period for a previously approved development, with no proposed changes to the original scheme. Key considerations include the development's design, its impact on the surrounding environment, accessibility, and its adherence to local and national planning policies, including the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021.

This document contains plans for a proposed gallery at the House of Bruar, submitted under reference number 2023/0145/DET for agenda item 7 on 9 June 2023. The plans, created by Hannay McLaren Architects Ltd, include site plans, elevations, a roof plan, and sections of the proposed gallery in relation to the existing buildings and surrounding area. The location plan at 1:10,000 scale shows where the House of Bruar is.

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal for planning reference 2023/0145/DET, completed on 17 May 2023 and checked on 25 May 2023. The appraisal assesses a proposal to build an art gallery within the car park of House of Bruar, near the River Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The appraisal concludes that the proposal is not directly connected to the management of the River Tay SAC, and is unlikely to have a significant impact on the site. It states that conservation measures are being met and no adverse impact is anticipated, but recommends a pollution prevention plan to ensure contractors are aware of their responsibilities due to the proximity of the River Tay SAC.