Planning Committee - March 2019

This document contains information about a Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee site visit on 22 March 2019, regarding application 2018/0043/DET for the erection of 28 apartments on the site of a former filling station on Grampian Road in Aviemore. The purpose of the site visit is to help Planning Committee members understand the physical context of the site. The itinerary includes a 10am meeting on site for a briefing, completion of the site visit by 10:30am, and an 11am Planning Committee meeting at Boat of Garten Community Hall. Members of the public are responsible for their own arrangements and safety on site.

This document contains a notice for a Cairngorms National Park Authority meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 22 March 2019, and will be held at the Community Hall in Boat of Garten. Specifically, there will be a Planning Committee Meeting at 11am. Meeting agendas and papers will be available on the Cairngorms National Park Authority website the Friday before the meeting. For access or other requirements, please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority office in advance.

This document contains a risk assessment for a Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee site visit to a proposed development of 28 apartments in Aviemore on 22 March 2019. It identifies hazards such as trailing cables, road traffic, weather conditions, and uneven terrain, assessing the risks to committee members and staff. The assessment outlines controls to mitigate these risks, including re-routing cables, providing safety briefings, advising on appropriate clothing, and adapting the visit based on weather conditions. It also includes a risk rating key and additional recommendations to further reduce potential risks.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 22 March 2019, which took place at 11am in the Community Hall, Boat of Garten. The agenda includes welcoming attendees, apologies, minutes from the previous meeting on 22 February 2019, and declarations of interest. The committee reviewed an application for detailed planning permission for 28 apartments at the former Filing Station in Aviemore, with a recommendation to refuse the application. Additionally, they considered an application for 12 holiday cabins, an ancillary plant building, solar panels, and a parking area in Laghlasser, Corgarff, with a recommendation to approve subject to conditions. The agenda also includes any other business and setting the date of the next meeting along with quorum requirements.

This document contains a planning application submitted by Cairngorm Residential Ltd for the erection of 28 apartments with associated works on Grampian Road, Aviemore. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee reviewed the proposal, considering factors like site history, development plan context, consultations (including concerns raised by the Forestry Officer regarding tree loss and SNH regarding Capercaillie habitat), and representations from the community. Key issues raised include overdevelopment, visual impact, tree loss, affordable housing, and sustainable travel options. Ultimately, the Planning Committee recommends refusing the application due to non-compliance with Local Development Plan policies related to landscape, sustainable design, and natural heritage.

This document contains plans for a proposed development at Grampian Road, Aviemore, submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) planning committee on 22 March 2019 as agenda item 5. The plans, which include a location plan, site plan, street elevations, and site sections, show the layout and design for a residential development consisting of four blocks (A, B, C, and D) with a total of 28 flats, parking spaces, and a bike store. The development also includes landscaping, retaining walls, and fencing, with specific details about materials and finishes like roofing tiles, cladding, and windows. The plans include notes for the contractor to verify dimensions and to be aware of copyright restrictions.

This document contains an overview planning statement regarding a proposed residential development on a former filling station site in Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. The planning application, reference number 2018/0043/DET, is for the erection of a residential development. The site has a history of planning applications, including consultations with The Highland Council. Previous plans were withdrawn due to concerns about over-development and landscaping issues. Amendments have been made to reduce the scale of the buildings, improve landscaping, and retain existing trees. A key point is the impact on trees, with a proposed tree removal offset by new planting. The document includes responses to concerns raised by the Community Council, Ecology Adviser, and Landscape Adviser, and it details the design principles, layout, materials, and sustainability measures for the development.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for planning application 2018/0043/DET, regarding the construction of 32 apartments near Grampian Road in Aviemore. The assessment looks at the potential impact the development could have on nearby protected nature sites (called Natura sites), including the Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA) and Kinveachy Forest SPA. It considers the potential for increased recreational activity and disturbance to species like the capercaillie. The HRA concludes that while there could be some likely significant effects on the capercaillie populations in certain SPAs, no additional measures are needed to reduce the impact of the development. It determines that the proposed development will not adversely affect the overall integrity of the Natura sites.

This document contains community council comments regarding planning application 2018/0043/DET for the erection of 28 or 32 apartments with associated works (amended design). The Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council objects to the application, stating that the proposed development doesn't comply with the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan policies 1, 5 and 7. They believe the development is an overdevelopment, disproportionate to other buildings in Aviemore, and fails to enhance the characteristics of the area. Concerns are also raised about the lack of affordable housing and the intention to use a biomass boiler, as well as inadequate parking. The community council requests that a representative be allowed to address the planning committee.

This document contains objections to a planning application (reference number 2018/0043/DET) submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for the erection of 32 apartments with associated works on the former filling station on Grampian Road, Aviemore. The objections raised include concerns that the application is missing detail, factually inaccurate, disproportionate to other buildings in Aviemore, would destroy mature native Scots pine trees and the habitat of red squirrels, and would be a visual detraction to the southern entrance of Aviemore. Further concerns mentioned that the proposal to build four sets of four-storey flats on Grampian Road is frightening, as they live in a National Park, the wildlife, especially red squirrels, will be devastated by this development, as well as the trees which are earmarked to be taken down, and it will affect the bird wildlife living here.

This document contains an email exchange regarding planning application 2018/0043/DET for a development in Aviemore. Dot Harris from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) informs Chrissy Curby about revised information for the application, which includes a reduction in the number of flats from 32 to 28, removal of biomass heating, retention of more trees, and changes to the parking layout. Chrissy Curby objects to the revised plan, expressing concerns about increased traffic, harm to the environment and wildlife, and the potential for the development to be used for second homes and holiday lets. She believes smaller houses would be more in keeping with the area. Dot Harris asks for the comments to be addressed within 28 days of the date of the email.

This document contains a planning application to erect 12 holiday cabins with associated buildings, ground-mounted solar panels, and a parking area at Laghlasser Corgarff in the Cairngorms National Park. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee is reviewing the application, which was called in on 6 September 2018 and recommends approval subject to conditions. The site covers approximately 0.54 hectares within a coniferous woodland and is accessed from the A939 road. Supporting documents detail the proposal, including site plans, visualisations, and assessments related to landscape, woodland management, species protection, drainage, water supply, and economic impact. The report also summarizes consultations with various bodies, including the Forestry Commission, Aberdeenshire Council Roads Department, Environmental Protection, and the Park Authority Ecology Adviser, along with representations from the community. Key issues include the potential impact on the landscape, tree loss, road safety, and water supply. Subject to several conditions relating to landscaping, construction methods, environmental monitoring, and materials, the development is considered to comply with relevant policies and will contribute to tourism and the local economy.

This document contains planning application drawings from MAC Architects, dated between June 2018 and January 2019, for Lewis & Rachel Gray's forest cabins located in Corgarff, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. The plans detail the location and existing site, proposed site coordinates and cabin locations, the proposed site entrance, a proposed site plan, block plans and site sections for cabins 1-12, proposed photomontages, site cross sections, sectional details, solar panels, and external lighting. The drawings include notes on construction, health and safety, and site drainage.

This document contains objections to a planning application (reference number 2018/0350/DET) submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the erection of twelve holiday cabins on forestry land at Laghlasser, Corgarff. The objections raised concern the scale of the development being disproportionate to the village, the negative visual impact on the landscape and views from tourist spots, potential noise and light pollution affecting wildlife and residents, inadequate water supplies, road safety issues due to increased traffic, and a lack of benefit to the local community. Objectors also highlight the potential disturbance to wildlife, the area's dark sky status, and concerns that the development does not align with the aims and policies of the Cairngorms National Park.

This document contains supporting information for agenda item 6 of the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee meeting on 22 March 2019. Specifically, it relates to planning application 2018/0350/DET. The document includes letters from VisitAberdeenshire and VisitScotland expressing their support for a planning application submitted by Blackbyre Developments for the construction of 12 tourism accommodation lodges in Corgarff, Aberdeenshire. Both organizations believe the development will boost the local economy and enhance tourism in the area, aligning with their respective tourism strategies.

This document contains general comments regarding planning application 2018/0350/DET for the erection of 12 holiday cabins, an ancillary plant building, ground mounted solar panels and a parking area at Laghlasser, Corgarff, Strathdon. The comments include concerns from local residents about the access road, water supply, proximity to wildlife and potential impacts on the area's character. One comment supports the application, highlighting the importance of tourism for rural businesses, while the West Aberdeenshire Access Panel recommends ensuring at least one cabin is suitable for people with disabilities.

This document contains an email exchange regarding planning application 2018/0350/DET for a site at Laghlasser Corgarff Strathdon. Donside Community Council discussed the application at their meeting on 9 October 2018. While they recognise the benefits of tourism development, they do not support this particular application due to concerns about its scale, location, and potential negative impacts on the balance of residents to holiday homes, the environment, and the enjoyment of the area for both residents and tourists. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) confirmed that they had not received the response from Donside Community Council and requested that it be resent.