Planning guidance
Explore our range of resources on planning and development in the Cairngorms National Park, and how you can get the most from it.
Planning Service
Our planning Service helps get the right kind of development in the right places by promoting investment, protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of the area and creating places that we can all value and enjoy.
This document contains the Planning Service Charter of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, published in April 2015, which details the service standards that customers can expect. The Planning Service aims to create a park that benefits everyone through careful development, investment, and environmental protection, guided by five key themes: being open for business, ensuring high-quality development, focusing on customers and continuous improvement, fostering partnership, and engaging openly. The charter outlines the roles of development planning and management teams, their service standards, and processes for monitoring, enforcement, and committee operations. It also explains how to provide feedback or make complaints, emphasizing a commitment to regular monitoring and annual review of service standards.
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This document contains a voluntary agreement, called a Protocol, between the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and five local authorities (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray, Perth and Kinross). It aims to improve how planning functions work together within and affecting the Cairngorms National Park. The Protocol outlines the legislative background, the process for preparing and adopting the Local Development Plan, working arrangements for development management and enforcement, and the use of powers by the CNPA and local authorities. It also highlights the importance of partnership and trust, sharing responsibility, and continuous improvement in planning practices and it came into effect on 31 March 2016.
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This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Planning Performance Framework for 2022-2023. It outlines the Planning Service's commitment to the National Park's vision, mission, and values, as set out in the National Park Partnership Plan 2022. The framework includes key performance markers related to development planning, land supply, decision making, and enforcement, and it details the Authority's qualitative narrative, supporting evidence, and planned service improvements for 2023-2024. The report also features case studies of recent planning projects, workforce information, and statistics related to planning decisions and appeals, all contributing to a comprehensive overview of the Planning Service's performance and its efforts to enhance the built and natural environment within the Cairngorms National Park.
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Planning applications
One of the main functions of our planning service is to assess and determine planning applications. Find out more about making a planning application here.
This document contains advice about pre-application planning in the Cairngorms National Park. Pre-application advice is offered to anyone considering making a planning application and can help them understand if they're likely to get permission, what information they need to provide, and how to plan their development effectively. The local authority will provide advice based on the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan, and while the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) doesn't provide advice directly to applicants, they do advise the local authorities. The quality of the pre-application advice depends on the quality of the information you provide to the local authority. The document also includes contact details for local authority planning offices.
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This document contains advice about applying for planning permission in the Cairngorms National Park, and it was last updated in September 2022. Planning applications are decided by either the local authority or the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), with the CNPA deciding on bigger and more sensitive applications. All applications are assessed against the same Local Plan. The CNPA "calls in" around 10% of applications, based on whether the development is significant for the National Park. There are two types of applications: Type 1 applications are likely to be "called in" by the CNPA, while Type 2 applications are unlikely to be "called in". Applicants are encouraged to get advice before applying, and they have three months to appeal a decision. The document also lists local authority planning offices.
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This document contains advice from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to help people applying for planning permission in the National Park. The park has many rare and threatened species, and planning policies aim to protect them. The advice note explains what information you need to provide with your application if protected species could be affected by your plans. It covers things like how to survey for protected species, create protection plans, and get licences if you can't avoid harming them. The document also provides links to NatureScot for more information and contact details for the Park Authority's planning team.
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This document contains information about good design practices and landscape issues within the Cairngorms National Park. It emphasizes the importance of high-quality design in all developments to enhance the environment, reduce pollution, and contribute to the area's unique character. The Local Development Plan requires all developments to meet these high design standards, supported by non-statutory guidance. The document also introduces the Cairngorms landscape toolkit, a resource for developers and professionals to learn about and enhance the landscapes of the National Park, including baseline information, sensitivity assessments, and landscape quality descriptions. There is also guidance available to help developers assess the effects of their development on the special landscape qualities of the National Park.
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Planning permission
The rules about planning permission, permitted development and private ways are complicated so you should always speak to your local authority about what you’d like to do before you act.
This document contains guidance from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) about planning permission and 'permitted development' rights for private ways (tracks) on agricultural and forestry land, updated in September 2022. The document explains that while these types of private ways don't usually need planning permission, the Park Authority needs to be told about any plans to build or change them before work starts. The Park Authority will then decide if it needs to approve the plans. The document also highlights the importance of getting in touch with the local authority to discuss proposals beforehand, as rules can be complicated, and it outlines the process for 'prior notification' and the information that must be included in an application, as well as signposting what to do if your plans might affect certain protected areas.
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This document contains advice on how to change an existing planning permission in the Cairngorms National Park. After planning permission is granted, there are four ways it can be changed. Most changes require a fee, advertising, and notification to neighbours, giving the public a chance to comment. Planning permission is typically granted for three years, but this can be adjusted by the planning authority. The document outlines the four ways a planning application can be changed, including fees, how to apply, notification procedures, factors considered, and time limits. For further assistance, contact the local authority planning department or the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) planning team.
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Breaches of planning rules
The Cairngorms National Park Authority and local planning authorities monitor planning permissions that they have granted. Together we have powers to enforce planning conditions if a development does not comply with them, and control development that takes place without the correct permission.
The enforcement register lists cases where we have served enforcement notices.
Our enforcement charter explains how the planning enforcement process works, the role of the Park Authority and the service standards we have set.
This document contains an updated planning enforcement register from December 2023. It lists several enforcement and temporary stop notices issued between 2011 and 2024 for various properties, detailing breaches like unauthorized land use, construction, signage, and boundary wall alterations. The register outlines the actions required to comply with the notices, the deadlines for compliance, and the outcomes, which range from notices being complied with or withdrawn, to appeals being submitted or dismissed, and applications being approved. The document includes details of several properties and outlines the steps necessary to meet the planning regulations.
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This document contains an updated (November 2024) Planning Enforcement Charter for the Cairngorms National Park. It explains the planning enforcement process, including the roles of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and local authorities. The charter aims to ensure fair, reasonable, consistent and accountable procedures. It clarifies what constitutes a breach of planning control, how to report it, and how investigations are prioritized. The document also details formal enforcement notices, service standards, how to make complaints, and provides contact information for relevant planning authorities. Furthermore, the document contains information on enforcement powers available to planning authorities, types of notices, control of advertisements, tree protection, and other powers.
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Planning Committee
Our Planning Committee meets regularly to determine planning applications or consider other planning matters within the National Park. The Planning Committee has the same members as our board.
Planning Committee meetings take place in public and are livestreamed on our YouTube channel .
The planning Committee standing orders explain how our Planning Committee operates.
Planning Committee guidance documents
This document contains the Standing Orders for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) Planning Committee, which were adopted on 20 September 2019, and outline the procedures for the committee's meetings. The document details the frequency of meetings, how meetings can be cancelled, and the process for pre-agenda briefings. The standing orders also cover the notice required for meetings, how agenda papers are distributed, and the quorum needed for a meeting to proceed. Furthermore, it describes the process for submitting written and oral representations related to planning applications, how site visits are conducted, and how motions and amendments are moved and decided upon. Finally, the document addresses situations with equal votes, procedural motions like adjourning meetings, delegation of responsibilities, and how the standing orders themselves can be amended.
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This document contains guidance on Planning Committee site visits within the Cairngorms National Park. These visits help Committee Members understand planning applications in context, and are typically arranged for complicated or contentious developments. The Planning Service notifies interested parties who are welcome to attend, and the visit is overseen by the Committee Convener and a Planning Officer. Attendees are expected to follow specific guidelines, including maintaining objectivity, communicating through the Convener, and adhering to health and safety instructions. The Planning Officer prepares a risk assessment to ensure everyone's safety during the visit.
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This document contains guidance on speaking at Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) Planning Committee meetings, which are held every four weeks to discuss planning applications. It explains how to register to speak, noting that you must register at least seven calendar days before the meeting. If you register to speak, the CNPA will contact you two weeks before the meeting to confirm whether the application will be considered and again one week before the meeting to confirm the application will be considered and that Planning Committee papers are published. It outlines the different ways you can speak, such as an applicant, supporter, objector, or as a Community Council representative, each with a ten-minute time limit. The document also details what you can and cannot discuss, how meetings are run, and how to submit electronic presentations. Finally, it clarifies what happens if you miss the meeting or if the application is deferred.
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Get in touch
For more planning advice and support please contact our Planning team:
- By email on [email protected]
- By phone on +44 (0) 1479 873 535
- By visiting our office, or sending post to, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland, PH26 3HG, which is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
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Need to know
Everything you need to know on how you can help to take care of the National Park on your visit.
What we do
From pioneering conservation projects to community engagement and active travel, find out more about the range of work happening across the National Park.