Planning Committee - September 2022

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) Planning Committee meeting held on 26 August 2022. The meeting included discussions and decisions on various planning matters, including a detailed planning application for the demolition of a derelict farmhouse and the erection of a new house at Dalfaber Farm in Aviemore. After discussion, the committee approved the planning application. The committee also discussed a proposal for a non-motorised user route between Aviemore and Carrbridge, the Development Plan Scheme 2022, and the Local Development Plan 2021 action programme. The next meeting was scheduled for 23 September 2022.

This document contains a proposal for the construction of a battery energy storage facility (49.9 MW) with associated buildings and landscaping in the Cairngorms National Park. The application, submitted by Mr James Perkins, was called in on 28 February 2022 and the recommendation is to approve it subject to conditions. The site is located near Boat of Garten, and the proposal includes measures to mitigate potential landscape, environmental, and amenity impacts. Key issues raised include the impact on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), potential noise and visual effects, and archaeological considerations. The recommendation to approve is based on compliance with local development plan policies, provided certain conditions are met, such as submitting detailed plans for decommissioning, landscaping, noise mitigation, drainage, traffic management, and archaeological monitoring.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix I, application 2022/0069/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 23 September 2022. The plans relate to an energy storage project at Boat of Garten by The Energy Workshop Ltd. Included are a location and red line boundary plan, a general arrangement plan, a setting out and unit numbers plan, a section M001 plan, fence and control room details, battery storage unit details, and storage unit and office plan and elevations. The document also includes details for the planting and landscaping scheme for the site, specifying plant types, sizes and locations.

This document contains an agenda item regarding planning application 2022/0069/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee. The application proposes the construction of a battery energy storage facility near Boat of Garten. A neighbour submitted a comment, neither objecting to or supporting the application, but raising concerns about fire risk, noise, visibility, and the impact on the landscape and local economy. The commenter suggests the development doesn't align with local development plan policies, citing potential noise and visual pollution, environmental damage, and flood risk. They also question the lack of an ecology survey and whether the facility will benefit the local community.

This document contains Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Transmission's representation regarding planning application 2022/0069/DET for a battery energy storage facility near Boat of Garten. SSEN Transmission raises concerns about the proposed layout's potential impact on their existing underground cabling and the need to protect trees crucial for screening the nearby substation. They request that if the application is approved, a pre-commencement planning condition be included, requiring consultation with SSEN Transmission and approval for construction methods, access, landscaping, and tree planting to ensure the safety and operation of their infrastructure.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for the proposed construction of a battery energy storage facility near Boat of Garten. The appraisal, dated 17 August 2022, considers the potential impact of the development on nearby protected areas, specifically the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Cairngorms SAC, and the Abernethy Forest Special Protection Area (SPA). While the development is not expected to significantly affect the Cairngorms SAC or the Abernethy Forest SPA, there is a potential risk of sediment release and pollution to the River Spey SAC during construction and from the fire suppressant system. However, the appraisal concludes that with the implementation of a Construction Environment Management Statement (CEMP) and the use of a non-toxic inert gas in the fire suppression system, the development can proceed without adversely affecting the integrity of the River Spey SAC.

This document contains a planning application submitted by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited and the Scottish Ski Club to the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The application is for the installation of a surface tow and related infrastructure at White Lady Coire Cas, Cairngorm Mountain, Glenmore, Aviemore, Highland. The recommendation is to approve the application, subject to conditions. The main considerations are the principle of development, environmental and landscape effects. Key conditions include using a specific matt brown colour for the machinery and adhering to the Construction Environment Management Statement to protect the environment, particularly the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

This document contains plans for a movable Scottish Ski Club rope tow at Cairngorm Mountain. The plans include the location of the tow, the position of permanent anchor blocks, cable routes, and access routes. It also details the terrain, safety features like fences and gates, and the technical specifications of the Sunkid Comfort Star lift system, including dimensions, materials, and electrical requirements.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for planning application 2022/0172/DET, regarding the installation of a surface ski tow and related infrastructure at White Lady, Coire Cas, Cairngorm Mountain. The appraisal considers the potential impact of the development on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), especially concerning freshwater pearl mussels, sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon and otters. It concludes that there is a risk of significant effects on the habitats relied upon by the qualifying species of the River Spey SAC due to potential sediment release and pollution during construction. However, it also states that the Construction Environment Management Statement (CEMP), if properly implemented, should minimise the pollution risk and prevent any adverse effect on the site integrity.

This document contains community council comments for planning application 2022/0172/DET. The application is for the installation of a surface tow and related infrastructure at White Lady Coire Cas Cairngorm Mountain Glenmore Aviemore Highland PH22 1RB. The community council supports the application because it believes it is a relatively minor piece of infrastructure that will improve an existing facility.

This document contains the agenda for item 7, appendix IA, for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee on 23 September 2022, regarding planning application 2022/0242/DET, "Plans". The document includes location maps and site detail maps for Kinrara Estate, showing the project boundary, ownership boundary, new machine access ramps, indicative new machine access ramps, existing all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tracks to be scraped and drained, and 10-metre contours. It also contains a draft peat depth survey map for Lost Forest Target Afforestation Areas.

This document contains a proposal for prior approval for a private forest way with a series of tracks near Altnacriche in the Cairngorms National Park. Lost Forest Ltd. submitted the application, which involves creating and improving access tracks for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to enable a woodland creation scheme. The proposal includes scraping and improving drainage on existing ATV routes, creating two new machine ramps, and replacing two fords with culverts. A Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was conducted, identifying potential effects on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to sediment release, but conditions are set to protect the area. The Cairngorms National Park Authority recommends approving the proposal, subject to conditions.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for proposed forest track works near Lynwilg, Aviemore. The appraisal, dated 1 September 2022, assesses the potential impact of the works on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and its qualifying interests, including Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, sea lamprey, and otter. The appraisal identifies potential for short-term negative effects due to sediment release during groundworks, but concludes that with the implementation of a pollution prevention and control schedule, there should not be an adverse effect on the site's integrity. The proposed works involve scraping and draining tracks, creating machinery ramps and culverting and requires a pre-commencement pollution control plan submitted to Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) by 31 August 2022.

This document contains various information regarding a plan from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee, about forest track works at Altnacriche, near Lynwilg, Aviemore. In this document, the project is broken down into different stages, detailing the plan, ecology and ornithology. Some factors taken into consideration and listed in the document are around how the actions in these areas would affect the species in the area such as the local birds, water voles and the habitats around them. It also includes some measures the workers will take to prevent pollution in the area, and how it affects the surrounding water systems.

This document contains information for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee regarding a Proposal of Application Notification (PAN) for a new distillery, marketing suite and maturation warehouses at land 250m South East of Spey Dam, Laggan. The report informs the Planning Committee of the PAN, allows members to raise any views on the issues to be addressed in an application, and seeks the committee's input on any additional relevant issues for future applications. The applicant carried out a public event on 6 September 2022, with a further exhibition planned, and previously sought pre-application advice from Highland Council and the Park Authority. The site, covering about 4.5 hectares, lies approximately 250 metres southeast of the Spey Dam. The document also outlines relevant planning policies and guidance, potential material planning considerations, and recommends that the Committee notes the PAN submission and advises on any material issues.

This document contains a proposal of application notice submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) on 23 September 2022, for agenda item 8, appendix 1A. It details a proposal by Speyside Distillers Company Ltd to erect a distillery, marketing suite, and maturation warehouses with associated access, parking, infrastructure, and servicing, located 250 metres south east of Spey Dam Laggan. As a part of statutory obligations, the document outlines community consultations that will take place including public events, online meetings, and notifications to local community councils, politicians, and other parties.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee meeting on 23 September 2022. It includes a site plan, listed as Appendix IB, for agenda item 8, which is application number PRE/2022/0021. Also included are location plans for Speyside Distillers, Dalhully Estate, Laggan PH20 1BU.

This document contains a pre-application response from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) regarding a proposal to build two whiskey maturation warehouses and a new distillery with associated infrastructure, visitor centre, car parking and landscaping. The Park Authority advises that the proposal will be assessed against the Cairngorms Local Development Plan (LDP) 2021, the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2017 – 2022 and Scottish Planning Policy and outlines a number of considerations, including landscape impact, environmental impact (particularly on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation), access and servicing, amenity and resources. Several assessments and plans are required to support any future planning application, including landscape and visual impact assessments, ecological surveys, a drainage impact assessment and a construction method statement. The Park Authority also advises that pre-application consultation with the community is required.

This document contains an appeal decision notice from the Scottish Government regarding a planning application for the erection of a bothy (a small hut or cottage) and associated service route in Killiehuntly, Kingussie. Wildland Limited appealed the Cairngorms National Park Authority's decision to refuse planning permission. A reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers allowed the appeal and granted planning permission, subject to six conditions listed in schedule 2 of the notice and three advisory notes in schedule 3 of the notice. The reporter considered the impact of the development on the landscape, public access, and the environment, and found that the proposed development aligns with the relevant policies of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, and the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 9 December 2022. The meeting covered several agenda items including declarations of interest, approval of minutes from the previous meeting, and a planning permission application for the relocation of a sewer pumping station, which was approved. The committee also discussed and approved the Planning Enforcement Charter for the Cairngorms National Park Authority, received an update on planning service performance, and discussed the current status of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). The head of Strategic Planning noted the Scottish Government's plans to delay the date for existing properties to apply for Short Term Let Licences, and discussed planning enforcement matters related to a housing development at Carrbridge. The next meeting is scheduled for 27 January 2023.