Planning Committee - September 2020

This document contains the draft minutes of the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held via video conference on 28 August 2020. The meeting covered several agenda items including a welcome and apologies, minutes and matters arising from the previous meeting, declaration of interest by members, a planning permission in principal for residential development at Nethy Bridge (which was ultimately refused), a detailed planning permission for apartments in Kingussie (which was approved with additional conditions), a housing development at Kincraig (which was approved for consultation), Clashindarroch II Wind Farm, an action programme, planning service priorities for 2020-21, and the date of the next meeting. A key discussion point was the proposed residential development in Nethy Bridge, which raised concerns about the loss of ancient woodland.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 25 September 2020. The meeting includes items such as welcomes, apologies, and minutes from the previous meeting. There will be discussions on planning permission for affordable housing in Kingussie, a tasting lodge in Glenlivet, and enclosures at the Highland Wildlife Park. The committee will make a decision on the Cloiche Wind Farm, and receive an update on the Local Development Plan Examination. Finally, the agenda includes any other business and the date of the next meeting.

This document contains information regarding a planning application submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the erection of 23 affordable houses in Kingussie. Davall Developments Ltd submitted the application, which was called in on 9 March 2020. The recommendation is to approve the application, subject to certain conditions relating to road safety, drainage, bus shelters, parking, and access. Several policies within the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2015 are considered, including those related to housing, sustainable design, natural heritage, and landscape. The document also considers consultations and representations, with no objections from Transport Scotland or Scottish Water, though the Highland Council Forestry Officer requested further information.

This document contains plans for a planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 25 September 2020, for 23 affordable houses at Kingussie. The application number is 2020/0067/DET. The plans include a location plan, a site layout, and floor plans and elevations for house types A, A1, B1, C and B.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix 1B, related to project number 2020/0067/DET. These are the plans for 23 affordable houses at Kingussie NE (2). There are different house types labeled C, D, E, and F, with various floor plans and elevations, as well as a landscaping layout with notes on planting and ground work. There is a road layout, site sections and a drainage layout of the site too.

This document contains a proposal to construct a new tasting lodge with an associated boundary fence and access track at Land 440M West of Grant Cottage, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Moray. The applicant is Chivas Brothers Ltd. The Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee recommends approving the proposal subject to conditions. Several policies within the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2015 are relevant to the assessment of this application. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water, Moray Council Contaminated Land Officer, Moray Council Flood Risk Management Team, Moray Council Transportation Manager, and CNPA Landscape and Ecology Advisors were consulted. There have been 3 letters commenting on the proposals and 10 letters objecting to the proposals. In order to pass approval there are multiple conditions listed regarding landscaping, bird protection, external finishing materials, road visibility and water drainage that must be followed before any construction can begin.

This document contains plans related to agenda item 6, specifically appendix I. These are plans for application number 2020/0119/DET. The plans depict a proposed location for a new tasting lodge at the Glenlivet Distillery, including site plans, elevations, proposed plans, lighting and power layouts, and dark sky discovery point context. The documents were created by NORR consultants.

This document contains representations related to planning application 20/00521/APP for a proposed tasting lodge in Glenlivet, within the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Cairngorms International Dark Sky Park. A comment from Mr Sam Robinson on behalf of the Cairngorms Astronomy Group neither objects nor supports the application, but raises concerns about the potential impact on the Dark Sky Park designation and advises that the development should adhere to the Dark Sky Park's Lighting Management Plan, particularly regarding external lighting limits. An email from Adam Dalton, Dark Sky Places Program Manager at the International Dark-Sky Association, echoes these concerns and suggests three options: build the Bothy in an alternate location, change the exterior light to be red and no more than 1 lux, or build the Bothy as planned with no alterations, potentially putting the Dark Sky Park status at risk. A handwritten note also mentions ensuring wildlife protection during the project and protecting wildflowers, trees, and hedgehogs.

This document contains representations and objections to planning application 2020/0119/DET for a proposed new Tasting Lodge with an associated boundary fence and access track on land 440m west of Grant Cottage Glenlivet Ballindalloch Moray within the Cairngorms National Park. Concerns raised by neighbours and members of the public include the development's potential negative impact on the environment, traffic, water supplies, the Dark Sky Discovery Site, local tourism, wildlife, the Speyside Way and the overall landscape. Objectors also question the need for the development and its benefit to the local community, citing potential contraventions of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plans 2015 and 2020 and the Moray Council Local Development Plan 2020.

This document contains a planning application for the construction of enclosures, siting of a storage container and erection of fencing at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig. The proposed development aims to create a wildcat breeding compound as part of the LIFE funded wildcat reintroduction project. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) planning officer recommends approval of the application, subject to conditions regarding the external finishing materials of the storage container and tree protection measures. Consultations suggest minimal environmental impact and no objections, and there will be no adverse effect upon the landscape.

This document contains plans submitted as Appendix I for agenda item 7 to the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee on 25 September 2020, under reference number 2020/0177/DET. The plans detail proposed enclosures and fencing including dimensions, materials and below ground installation. It also contains information relating to SWAforLife Saving Wildcats, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Conservation Department, Highland Wildlife Park.

This document contains information regarding the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) planning committee agenda item concerning the proposed Cloiche wind farm. Scottish Government Energy Consents & Deployment Unit (ECDU) is consulting on the application for the wind farm, which would be located southwest of the Cairngorms National Park. The Park Authority's planning officer recommends objecting to the proposal. NatureScot's (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH) advice highlights the significant adverse effects the wind farm would have on the Park's landscape and special landscape qualities (SLQs), both on its own and when added to existing and approved wind farms. The Park Authority has to make sure that any plans line up with the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and the National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP). The Park Authority objects to the proposed wind farm because it does not meet the policy requirements in the National Park Partnership Plan 2017–2022.

This document contains information about the Cloiche Wind Farm and a visual representation of its potential visibility from various viewpoints within and around the Cairngorms National Park. It's Appendix I of Agenda Item 8 for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 25 September 2020. The document includes a map showing the site boundary, turbine locations, study areas, distance radii, and the zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV), indicating how many turbines might be seen from different locations. Key viewpoints are marked, such as Beinn a' Mheadhoin and Urquhart Castle, and it's part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the wind farm.

This document contains information related to Agenda Item 8, Appendix II, concerning the Cloiche Wind Farm. The document, dated 25 September 2020, includes a map (Figure 7.8.3) showing the wind farm's location within the Cairngorms National Park. The map details the proposed turbine locations, operational or under-construction turbines, consented turbines, study areas of 20km and 40km radii, and a 5km distance radii. It also indicates the zone of theoretical visibility for the wind farm and cumulative baseline sites, alongside the Cairngorms National Park boundary.

This document contains information regarding agenda item 8, appendix III, and planning application 2020/0121/PAC for the Cloiche Wind Farm. It includes figure 7.8.1, a map showing the cumulative zone of theoretical visibility and the proposed development with all cumulative baseline sites relevant to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. The map details proposed, operational, consented, and application/appeal turbines within the Cairngorms National Park, along with 5km, 20km, and 40km study radii.

This document contains an update on the Local Development Plan (LDP) examination for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. It covers the consultation period, the representations received, and the submission of the proposed LDP to Scottish Ministers. The report also outlines the recommended changes from the Reporters, including housing supply targets and modifications to policies related to economic development, design, natural heritage, and landscape. The National Park Authority must submit the amended plan to the Scottish Ministers by 26 November, and could adopt the plan 28 days after submission unless directed otherwise.

This document contains a report to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) regarding proposed changes to the local development plan. The report, dated 24 August 2020, includes recommendations from a reporter organized by issue, such as general modifications, introduction/vision/strategy changes, and policy adjustments related to housing development, economic growth, environmental protection, and infrastructure. Specific changes include modifying text in the proposed plan, adjusting housing supply targets, altering housing allocations, modifying policies related to housing, tourism, water resources, and carbon sinks, and adjusting settlement objectives. The document also contains modifications to planning in certain areas, like, Aviemore and Carr-Bridge.