Planning Committee - May 2020

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) Planning Committee meeting on 22 May 2020. The meeting, held virtually via video link, included welcome, apologies, minutes from the previous meeting on 24 April 2020 and matters arising, and declarations of interest by members. The committee discussed and recommended approval subject to conditions for three detailed planning permissions: engineering works for strengthening a funicular viaduct at Cairngorm Mountain, conversion of a former police station in Kingussie into holiday letting dwellings, and forestry-related building works at Caddam Plantation. The agenda also includes a discussion of the date of the next meeting and any other business.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 24 April 2020. The meeting, conducted via video and phone conference, included discussions on minutes from the previous meeting, updates on applications approved by the committee, and non-statutory guidance on natural heritage, landscape, cultural heritage, and renewable energy. Key points included addressing delays related to the Registers of Scotland and commercial contracts, and the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on housing projects. The committee approved the publication of supplementary guidance for public consultation, subject to some amendments. They also noted an appeal to a housing application in Nethy Bridge. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 May 2020.

This document contains a planning application from Highlands And Islands Enterprise for engineering work to strengthen the funicular viaduct at Cairngorm Mountain. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) planning committee reviewed the application. The site is located within a scenic area with several environmental designations, and the proposed work involves adding props to the existing viaduct piers. There were some objections about the accuracy of the application, lack of a masterplan for the area, and potential impact on the environment and landscape. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other consultees provided feedback, and the Park Authority Ecology Officer recommended several planning conditions. The Park Authority approved the application subject to conditions, including finalising a peat management plan, ensuring minimum disturbance to groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems, and submitting a site-specific waste management plan.

This document contains a planning application for the Cairngorm Funicular Viaduct strengthening project, submitted on 22 May 2020. The application, numbered 2020/0076/DET, includes various plans, such as the site location, overall site plan, and longitudinal sections, detailing the existing pier locations, proposed areas of development, and existing watercourses. These plans illustrate the proposed beam strengthening works, with typical strengthening details for piers at different locations along the viaduct. The application specifies that the total proposed development area is 9,768 square meters. The drawings, created by COWI UK Limited for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), provide detailed views and sections of the structures.

This document contains information from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Planning Committee, specifically Agenda Item 5, Appendix 2a, dated 22 May 2020. It relates to planning application 2020/0076/DET, concerning a construction method statement and plans for a construction site area. The document includes a location plan, a site layout plan, and a site plan, detailing the main site compound, works area, material laydown area, and helipad, along with construction boundaries and areas of permanent remedial works. It's a tender drawing by Balfour Beatty for the Cairngorms Funicular Repair Project.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee Agenda Item 5, Appendix 2b from 22 May 2020. It relates to application 2020/0076/DET and details the construction method statement plans, statement plans, and construction works breakdown for a project. The appendix includes a site plan, drawing number CS19035C-002-B-T, illustrating the construction boundary, existing access routes, areas for permanent remedial works, and the location of the site compound and material lay down area. It also shows various micro-sited corridors of different widths for construction and access, as well as existing tracks to be used during the project.

This document contains a compilation of objections to a planning application submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for engineering work to strengthen the funicular viaduct on Cairngorm Mountain. Many objectors feel that the application is premature because it has been submitted before the completion of a masterplan for the area and does not follow the Park Authority's Working Principles. Other concerns include that the application site boundary doesn't include all areas that will be affected by the work and that there is a lack of detail regarding access tracks, construction methods, and environmental impacts. The long-term economic viability of the funicular railway is also questioned, with objectors suggesting that the repair costs and potential for increased operating costs are not justified and will not benefit the regional economy.

This document contains an email from Claire Smith, a Senior Conservation Officer at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland, to Stephanie Wade, regarding engineering work to strengthen the funicular viaduct at Cairngorm Mountain. The RSPB notes the species protection plan for breeding birds, and they recommend surveys for breeding birds are carried out before work commences. The email also mentions that the helicopter flight plan should consider up to date information on breeding Schedule 1 species, with further guidance available from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

This document contains community council comments for planning application 2020/0076/DET regarding engineering works to strengthen the funicular viaduct on Cairngorm Mountain. The Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council supports the application, but notes concerns that the timing of the application pre-empts recent community consultation and a future masterplan from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) that will review options for the funicular. They also note a lack of information on the planned duration or potential timing of the work. The community council also expressed concern that running site traffic through the Coire Cas car park could be problematic. Finally, they welcome the proposed measures to protect the wildlife and environment.

This document contains a planning application for the conversion, extension, and change of use of an existing office building to create eight flatted dwellings for holiday letting at the Former Police Station in Kingussie. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) recommends approval subject to conditions, including a scheme to deal with potential contamination on site and an internal bat survey of the garage building prior to any demolition works. The Park Authority believes that the development complies with relevant policies of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2015 and aligns with the overall aims of the National Park.

This document contains plans for a proposed change of use of existing offices on High Street in Kingussie by Haynes Asset Management. The plans, dated between September 2018 and February 2020, include location maps, site plans, floor plans for the ground, first, and second floors, existing and proposed elevations, and sections, detailing the proposed layout of flats. Amendments to the plans were made after a pre-application on 21 January 2020.

This document contains objections from neighbours and local businesses to planning applications 20/00322/FUL and 2020/0031/DET concerning the proposed conversion of the former police station on High Street, Kingussie, into eight flats for holiday letting. Concerns raised include insufficient parking, increased traffic congestion, noise disturbance, loss of privacy for existing residents, and the impact on the character and amenity of the area, with specific mention of potential difficulties for refuse collection and access for delivery vehicles.

This document contains comments for Planning Application 2020/0031/DET. The application concerns the conversion, extension, and change of use of a former police station in Kingussie to create eight flatted dwellings for holiday letting use. A member of the public, Mr David Fallows, supports the planning application, believing it improves upon previous applications, maximises space, and provides adequate parking. Mr Fallows does query if one of the ground floor flats will be suitable for disabled occupation.

This document contains information regarding a planning application for forestry-related building works in the Caddam Plantation, Glen Clova, within the Cairngorms National Park. The proposal involves constructing a new track and upgrading an existing one to help with woodland thinning. The Cairngorms National Park Authority recommends approving the application, subject to conditions that protect the environment and wildlife, including measures to prevent water pollution, protect species such as wildcats and otters, and minimize landscape impacts. The Angus Council Countryside Officer and Roads Department have no objections, and consultations with various stakeholders have been considered.

This document contains plans for agenda item 7, appendix I, number 2020/0037/NOT for the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee meeting on 22 May 2020. The plans concern the Caddam Wood Track Proposals for prior approval at the Glen Clova Estate. It includes location maps, track overviews, archaeology maps, landscape appraisal maps, and construction details for a new land rover track (1022m) and upgrades to an existing track (913m), including how any culverts will be installed or if running surfaces need repairing. The plan also gives information regarding how they will be reducing impact to the surrounding landscape.

This document contains information about a proposal to construct a new track and upgrade existing tracks at Glen Clova Estate, within the Cairngorms National Park, Angus. The project, led by Tilhill Forestry, aims to improve access to the upper slopes of Caddam Wood for timber thinning, which will enhance timber quality, biodiversity, and provide local wood fuel. The plan includes building approximately 1,016m of new track, upgrading around 589m of existing tracks, creating a forest borrow pit, and installing or renewing three water crossings. The project requires tree felling, careful landscape integration, and measures to protect the River South Esk Special Area of Conservation and its wildlife, including otters and wildcats. Construction is planned to avoid breeding seasons and sensitive winter months, with measures in place to control pollution and manage traffic.

This document contains comments from the North East Mountain Trust (NEMT) regarding planning application 19/00901/PRIORN for forestry-related building works in Caddam Plantation Glen Clova. The application involves maintenance, upgrading of existing access tracks, and formation of new tracks. While not objecting to the principle of the track, NEMT believes the Cairngorms National Park Authority should review the application due to its impact on protected species like otters and wild cats, and recommends a survey for wild cats before approval, plus restricting work to outside breeding season. NEMT also requests clarification on track gradient and width to prevent erosion and contractor leeway, and suggests creating a loop within woodland to reduce visual impact.