Planning Committee - May 2021

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee meeting held on 23 April 2021. The committee discussed several topics, including updates on the Aberdeenshire Design Awards, the Youth Action Engagement Group's Minecraft project, and consultations for the Garbet and Corriegarth 2 wind farms, ultimately deciding to raise no objections to either. They also covered updates from the Head of Strategic Planning, as well as matters arising and action points from the previous meeting. Finally, the date of the next meeting was set for 14 May 2021.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 14 May 2021. The meeting will be held virtually at 10am. The agenda includes welcome and apologies, the minutes of the previous meeting on 23 April 2021, declarations of interest, and detailed planning permission for several projects. These projects include the redevelopment of a former school into affordable housing, the formation of a track, and the reconfiguration of a car park with infrastructure for camper vans, all of which have a recommendation for approval subject to conditions. The agenda also includes a consultation on draft supplementary guidance for housing and developer obligations, any other business, and the date of the next meeting and quorum requirement.

This document contains a proposal to redevelop a former secondary school site in Tomintoul into 12 affordable homes. The application, submitted by Tomintoul And Glenlivet Development Trust, was called in on 15 February 2021. The recommendation is to approve the redevelopment, subject to certain conditions and a developer contribution. The site is located in the village centre and is planned to include a mix of semi-detached and detached houses, some designed as live/work units. The proposal includes landscaping, access, and servicing arrangements, with consideration given to drainage, ecological impact, and tree preservation. The Moray Council and other consultees have been involved, and concerns about road safety and infrastructure have been addressed through revised plans and proposed conditions. The development is considered to align with the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan, promoting new housing and enhancing the character of the area.

This document contains plans for a housing development on Main Street in Tomintoul, agenda item 5, appendix 1. The plans include a site location plan, a site plan, a block plan, street elevations, elevations of plots 1-12, floor plans of plots 1-12, a planting schedule, a tree survey drawing and road and kerbing layouts.

This document contains comments for planning application 21/00107/APP, concerning the redevelopment of the former Tomintoul Secondary School site into 12 affordable houses. A neighbour, Ms Alexandra Negrea of Glenavon Hotel, supports the application but raises concerns about parking, road access, and safety on Cults Drive. Specifically, the issue is that parents and school employees, who previously parked on the redevelopment site, are now parking on Cults Drive, opposite the hotel's service access, causing problems for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) delivering commercial heating oil, collecting waste, and delivering food and drinks. Ms Negrea suggests extending the primary school's "No Parking" zone on Cults Drive to cover the hotel's service access, noting there is ample parking elsewhere in the village.

This document contains a planning application submitted by Mr. Peter Moore to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for the formation of a track on land near Insh, Kingussie. The application, referenced as 2021/0064/DET, was called in on 1 March 2021, and the recommendation is to approve it subject to conditions. The proposal involves upgrading a 470m section of existing grassed track to a constructed vehicle track within the Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve. The Park Authority's Ecology Advisor and Landscape Officer support the proposal, noting that it aligns with local plan policies regarding natural heritage and landscape, provided certain mitigation measures, such as pre-construction checks for otter holts and adherence to a Construction Method Statement, are followed. The track aims to improve access for seasonal grazing and management of the nature reserve.

This document contains plans for a proposed track formation at Insh Marshes, part of the Cairngorms National Park. The plans detail the creation of a 2.5 metre wide, 470 metre long track to link Dell of Killiehuntly Farm with Insh Fen. The track is needed because the current route is boggy and difficult to access. The document outlines the materials and construction methods, including using local stone and gravel, and a terram geotextile membrane. It also includes information on how the project will avoid negative impacts on the environment and wildlife, including working outside of bird breeding season and consulting with NatureScot staff.

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal for a planning application (reference number 2021/0064/DET) regarding the formation of a track on land southwest of The Schoolhouse in Insh Kingussie. The appraisal looks at the potential impact of the project on several protected European sites, including Insh Marshes Special Area of Conservation (SAC), River Spey – Insh Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA), River Spey – Insh Marshes Ramsar site and River Spey SAC, focusing on their qualifying habitats and species like otters, whooper swans and wigeon. While the project is not directly related to managing these sites, it could have some effects, such as disturbing otters during construction or causing sediment runoff that pollutes a nearby lake. To address these potential issues, the applicant has included mitigation measures in a Construction Method Statement, such as working outside of bird breeding season and avoiding work in wet weather. If these measures are followed, the appraisal concludes that the project should not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the European sites.

This document contains a proposal to reconfigure an existing car park at Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park in Glenmore to include infrastructure for a campervan overnight facility. The application, submitted by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited, seeks planning permission for overnight serviced parking, including fencing, entry points, signage, a water supply point, and a waste disposal point, with a capacity of 50 motorhomes. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) recommends approval, subject to conditions, for a temporary period of three years, to address the lack of motorhome waste disposal facilities and manage visitor pressure. The approval is based on compliance with the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, with the inclusion of several planning conditions related to construction, visitor management, site layout, and environmental protection.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal, dated 29 April 2021, for a proposed project at Cairngorms National Park. The project, referenced as 2021/0112/DET, involves reconfiguring an existing car park and providing infrastructure for a camper van overnight facility. The appraisal assesses the potential impact of the project on the Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA) and its qualifying interests, including bird species like capercaillie, dotterel, and golden eagle. The appraisal concludes that with mitigation measures like perimeter fencing, interpretation panels, and online information, the project is not likely to have a significant effect on the site's integrity or the conservation objectives for the qualifying species.

This document contains public comments in support of planning application 2021/0112/DET. The application is for the reconfiguration of the existing car park and provision of infrastructure for a camper van overnight facility at Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park, Glenmore, Aviemore. Two members of the public, Mr John Campbell and Mr Paul Simpson, have stated their support for the application. Mr Campbell welcomes the regularization of the current ad hoc situation and the provision of a chemical disposal point. Mr Simpson notes that the proposed campervan parking section is fenced off and will only be in operation from 1 May until 31 October, outside of the ski season.

This document contains an objection from Allan McGuire regarding planning application 2021/0112/DET, which concerns a change of use for the lower car park at Cairngorm Mountain. Mr. McGuire believes there are enough campsites already and that the car park serves as an overflow from the main site, and the change of usage would inhibit use of the mountain for walkers and skiers. He states that the current management is seemingly destroying the mountain.

This document contains a letter from the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG) to Stephanie Wade at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority), dated 10 May 2021. The BSCG is objecting to an application regarding the reconfiguration of the existing car park and the provision of infrastructure for a camper van overnight facility at Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park Glenmore Aviemore Highland PH22 1RB, as they are concerned about the potential negative impact on the local capercaillie population. They argue that the area is a key habitat for this species, and the proposed development would likely increase disturbance and affect their breeding success. The BSCG also highlights concerns with the Visitor Management Plan and Environmental Impact Assessment, stating they do not adequately address the potential harm to capercaillie.

This document contains a letter from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland to Stephanie Wade at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 10 May 2021, regarding the proposed reconfiguration of the Ciste car park and provision of campervan facilities on Cairngorm Mountain. The RSPB acknowledges the proposal and its potential impact on the nearby Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA), particularly concerning the capercaillie population. While the RSPB notes there will be no increase in the carpark size, they raise concerns about potential changes in visitor activity at dawn and dusk, which could disturb the capercaillie. The letter recommends several conditions for approval, including delaying the opening of campervan facilities until May each year, restricting promotion of the carpark with signage, adding signage advising dog walkers to keep dogs on leads during breeding season, and installing a people counter on a hiking trail to monitor changes in visitor activity.

This document contains public comments regarding planning application 2021/0112/DET for the reconfiguration of an existing car park and the provision of infrastructure for a camper van overnight facility at Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park. A member of the public, Paul Simpson, expresses support for the application, highlighting the increased demand for staycations and the need for facilities for motorhomes and campervans. Simpson mentions the application is for a parking area operational from May to October and includes details for waste disposal, a litter and recycling point, and a coded gate entrance. The application has been called-in by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) due to its significance to the National Park aims, as outlined in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. The document includes information about CAMPRA (Campaign for Real Aires UK) guidelines and conditions for overnight parking sites.

This document contains a proposal for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee to approve the publication of supplementary guidance on housing and developer obligations for a six-week public consultation period. This guidance is intended to support the Local Development Plan 2021 by providing more detail on policies related to housing and developer contributions. Following the consultation, the Park Authority will submit the guidance, along with a statement summarizing publicity measures and comments received, to Scottish Ministers for review. After 28 days, the Park Authority can adopt the supplementary guidance unless directed otherwise by the Scottish Ministers. The guidance aims to address affordable housing shortages and defines required financial contributions from smaller developments, with commuted sums per unit shown in a table for different areas.

This document contains draft housing supplementary guidance from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for its Local Development Plan 2021. It focuses on increasing the delivery of affordable housing in the Cairngorms National Park (National Park) by explaining how the Park Authority's housing policy will be applied and interpreting the detail of policies. The guidance defines affordable housing, explains where on-site delivery is required, and sets out the expected level of financial contribution for smaller developments where on-site delivery isn't possible. Additionally, it provides guidance on house building in settlements, the countryside, and rural groups, as well as on alterations, conversions, replacement houses, and housing for gypsies, travellers and travelling show people.

This document contains supplementary guidance that forms part of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (LDP) 2021. The guidance applies to planning applications within the Cairngorms National Park and should be used to assess planning applications and identify the contributions that may be required to mitigate the impacts of the development on local facilities and infrastructure. Policy 11 of the Local Development Plan provides the framework for developer contributions that may be secured by legal obligations and contributions may be required towards education, healthcare, community facilities, transport provision, and mitigation of impacts on natural heritage. The document also covers developments that may require contributions, the level of contributions required, viability and how contributions are calculated.

This document contains a valuation report, dated 13 November 2020, commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to research and determine the level of a "commuted sum" for affordable housing. This commuted sum is defined as a financial contribution towards affordable housing for developments of under four units, set for each Local Authority area within the National Park, and for the National Park as a whole. The report provides market values for notional house plots and resultant commuted sums for Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray, and Perth & Kinross, as well as the CNPA area. The report details the valuation methodology and approach, describes the subject property, and offers insight into the various Local Authority policies. The document also includes appendices with a map and a brief.