Item6Appendix2bSupport20180350DETCorgarff
CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Planning Committee Agenda Item 6 Appendix 2b 22/03/2019 AGENDA ITEM 6 APPENDIX 2B 2018/0350/DET SUPPORT
VisitAberdeenshire Rachel Gray Director Blackbyre Developments Itd Home Farm Ballogie Aboyne Aberdeenshire AB34 5DT 23 August 2018 To whom it may concern, I would like to endorse the planning application which has recently been submitted by Rachel Gray of Blackbyre Developments for full planning permission for erection of 12 tourism accommodation “lodges” on land at Corgarff, Aberdeenshire. Tourism is one of the key economic drivers to the North-east economy and investment in new products and services for visitors is fundamental in helping the region achieve its ambition for tourism spend to be worth £1bn per year by 2023. Investment in new products and services is vital to allow us to realise our potential, increase visitor numbers and grow the value of tourism to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. This project builds upon the existing accommodation, attraction, activity and natural landscape products and act as a draw for visitors to base themselves in rural Aberdeenshire. The provision of high quality accommodation will increase the attractiveness and dwell time of visitors to the Strathdon area and associated economic benefits. The development is clearly aligned with the competitive strengths Touring & the Great Outdoors in the new Destination Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Tourism Strategy 2018 and strengthens the overall tourism offering in North East Scotland and I am happy to offer my support to this application. Yours sincerely Chris Foy Chief Executive VisitAberdeenshire T +44 (0)1224 900490 E info@visitabdn.com w www.visitabdn.com Company Registration No. SC413620 Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited T/A VisitAberdeenshire 1st Floor Amicable House 252 Union Street Aberdeen AB10 1TN
Scotland Alba Jo Robinson | Regional Director VisitScotland Lord Cullen House Fraser Place Aberdeen AB25 3UB 28 August 2018 Dear Sir/Madam, Corgarff Holiday Lodges I write to express VisitScotland’s support for Black Byre’s proposed development of 12 holiday lodges near Cock Bridge. The proposed self-catering accommodation units are to be built to a high standard of quality, and using an eco-friendly design. This development represents a value-for-money proposition for visitors to the region, and I am encouraged to see businesses investing in new product at a time when tourism is central to Aberdeenshire’s economic strategy and a key sector for growth. This development is also the kind of high quality asset advocated within the national tourism strategy Tourism Scotland 2020 as part of Scotland’s collective ambition to be recognised as a destination of first choice. The Cairngorms National Park welcomes a wide range of visitors each year to the area, and visitor numbers look set to rise with the launch last year of the Snow Roads Scenic Route and the North East 250 touring route. It is essential that visitors to the National Park, as well as travellers on these touring routes and the many skiers, wildlife-watchers and adventure seekers already visiting the area, are well-served by quality accommodation. Increasingly, visitors are seeking to spend their money with businesses that can demonstrate strong green credentials. VisitScotland welcomes the development of this project and is committed to providing any industry support required throughout the development process, be it through our Quality Assurance scheme, marketing support, data and trends analysis, or strategic support. VisitScotland appreciates the different factors that need to be considered in planning applications, and within this process we hope that our views can be taken into account. Yours faithfully, Jo Robinson Regional Director TM