Planning Committee - April 2022

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 22 April 2022. The meeting will be held virtually via video link at 9.30am. The agenda includes items such as welcome, apologies, declaration of interest, minutes of the previous meeting, discussion of detailed planning permissions for a hotel demolition and erection of affordable flats, erection of dwellinghouses, formation of access hill tracks, a Lethen Wind Farm consultation, any other business, and the date of the next meeting.

This document contains the draft minutes of the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held via video conference on 25 March 2022. The meeting covered topics such as the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, declarations of interest, a detailed planning permission for holiday lodges which was refused, and the adoption of local development plan non-statutory guidance. The committee also discussed the design and impact of the proposed development on the landscape and visual amenity of the National Park. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 April 2022.

This document contains a planning application to demolish a derelict hotel in Carrbridge, and build 10 affordable flats with parking. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) planning committee is being asked to approve the application. The site is on the eastern side of the B9153 road. While some concerns were raised about the impact on neighbors and local access, the proposal has been revised to address these. The Park Authority Ecology Officer noted minimal ecological impact. Overall, the proposal is considered to comply with the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021, with certain conditions and developer contributions required. These conditions include submitting plans for things like pedestrian access, construction methods, drainage, landscaping, contamination, bat protection, and cycle storage.

This document contains plans for a housing development on Main Street in Tomintoul, with planning application number 2021/0043/DET. The development, designed by Andrew Black Design for Alpha Projects, includes a site location plan, a site plan detailing plots with different house sizes and features like electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and a landscaping plan indicating planting schedules and maintenance. The document also includes street elevations, individual plot elevations and floor plans, a block plan showing the layout of the development, and a tree survey drawing. Additionally, there are road and kerbing layout plans, and a drainage layout plan.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee agenda item 5 appendix 2 dated 22 April 2022. It concerns planning reference 2021/0305/DET, which involves demolishing a derelict hotel and building 10 affordable flats with parking at the former Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge. The appraisal, conducted by a planning officer and checked by NatureScot, examines the potential impact on several Special Protection Areas (SPAs), including Anagach Woods SPA, Craigmore Wood SPA, Kinveachy Forest SPA, Abernethy Forest SPA, and Cairngorms SPA, especially regarding capercaillie. It concludes that the proposed development is unlikely to significantly disturb capercaillie or affect the conservation objectives of any of the SPAs, determining that no mitigation is required.

This document contains the Community Council's comments on planning application 2021/0305/DET regarding the demolition of the Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge and the erection of 10 flats with parking. Overall, the Carrbridge and Vicinity Community Council (CVCC) supports the development. However, they raised concerns about the pavements in Carrbridge being too narrow for wheelchair users to access local services, suggesting that the pavements be widened or altered. Additionally, residents near the proposed development are worried about the proximity to their properties and the potential loss of daylight and sunlight.

This document contains public comments that support planning application 2021/0305/DET. The application is for the demolition of the derelict Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge and the construction of ten affordable flats with parking. Neighbours have submitted comments noting the derelict state of the hotel and support the redevelopment. One neighbour also mentions a historic underground stream on the property that may need to be considered.

This document contains a public representation regarding planning application 2021/0305/DET for the Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge. A local resident, Mr Anthony Burgess, raises concerns about potential mess from demolition impacting his property, as well as vermin issues. He notes he had to stop feeding birds due to rat and mice visits. Despite these concerns, he expresses a desire to see the Struan House Hotel rebuilt.

This document contains a letter of public representation regarding planning application 2021/0305/DET for buildings on the Struan House Hotels site in Carrbridge. The letter, written by Helen Deery, expresses concerns about the construction of two flats near the boundary of their property, including issues such as the flats' proximity to their house, potential overlooking and blocking of sunlight, the flats' position above their sewer and water lines, the removal of trees, and increased traffic on the access road. The letter also mentions difficulty accessing the site from the main road due to a narrow entrance and obstructed views.

This document contains a planning application to erect six dwelling houses and associated works at the former railway yard in Killiecrankie, submitted by Whiteburn Investments on 17 January 2022, reference number 2022/0012/DET. Alan Atkins, the Planning Officer, recommends that the Cairngorms National Park Authority approve the development subject to conditions, as it meets the local development plan policies. While the site is located within a protected area and there are some concerns over railway noise and potential ground contamination, it is deemed that with appropriate conditions these issues can be managed, and that there will not be any significant detrimental impact on the landscape or local heritage sites.

This document contains plans for a proposed development at the former Railwayfield in Killiecrankie, PH16 5LQ. The plans include location maps, topographical surveys, site plans, proposed elevations, floor plans, 3D images, and drainage plans, illustrating the layout and design of the proposed development, which consists of two- and three-bedroom houses in three blocks, along with landscaping, tree planting, and drainage considerations. Some existing trees are to be removed and there is also an exclusion zone for the new drainage line.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for a planning application (2022/0012/DET) to build six houses with associated works in Killiecrankie. The appraisal, completed on 7 February 2022 and checked by NatureScot on 14 February 2022, considers the potential impact on the River Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The appraisal concludes that the development is not directly connected to the management of the European site, and is unlikely to have a significant effect on the site or its qualifying features such as Atlantic salmon, clear-water lochs, lamprey species, and otters. Therefore, no further assessment is required.

This document contains a planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the formation of access hill tracks next to the Base Station and Shieling at Cairngorm Mountain, near Aviemore. The application was submitted by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited on 24 January 2022, and the case officer recommends approval subject to conditions. The proposed tracks are intended to rationalise the track network around existing buildings and infrastructure, minimising the impact on the landscape and ecology. One representation was received stating they are concerned that the Cairngorms National Park Authority should fully recognise the sensitivities of the ground within the application and the surrounding area, to avoid adverse impacts to the sites. A key condition of approval requires a Construction Method Statement detailing pollution prevention measures to be submitted before development starts. The development must commence within 3 years of the date of the decision notice.

This document contains plans for Agenda Item 7, Appendix 1, reference number 2022/0023/DET, for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority). These plans, created by Wallace Stone Consulting Civil Engineers for Cairngorm Mountain Ltd, detail the location and design of hill tracks. Included are location plans for Cairngorm Hill Track Design, a proposed Shieling Access Track, cross-sections, long sections, aerial visualisations and a proposed base track. The plans show existing ground profiles, proposed track profiles, gradients, excavation areas and construction details. Visualisations show the proposed Shieling track from various viewpoints.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for planning application 2022/0023/DET, regarding the formation of access hill tracks near Cairngorm Mountain. The appraisal considers the potential impact on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Cairngorms SAC, and the Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA). It concludes that the proposed development could have a significant effect on the River Spey SAC due to the risk of sediment release during construction, which could pollute the Allt a choire chais watercourse. However, it also states that with a detailed Construction Method Statement (CMS) agreed upon with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) prior to construction, the risk of pollution could be minimised, and there would not be an adverse effect on the River Spey SAC's integrity. The appraisal finds no likely significant effects on the Cairngorms SAC or the Cairngorms SPA.

This document contains community council comments for planning application 2022/0023/DET, regarding the formation of access hill tracks near Cairngorm Mountain in Aviemore. The community council is neutral on the application. The applicant is Mr Peter Long.

This document contains an agenda item from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee, dated 22 April 2022. It includes Appendix 4, which is a representation from the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG) regarding application 2022/0023/DET for the formation of access hill tracks near the Coire Cas Car Park on Cairngorm Mountain. While not objecting, the BSCG expresses concerns about the sensitivity of the ground and potential impacts on biodiversity. They urge the Park Authority to ensure appropriate measures are taken to minimize habitat damage during construction and operation and note the lack of specific ecological surveys for the application. The BSCG highlights the area's high biodiversity interest, presence of rare species, and sensitive habitats, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the potential adverse impacts of the development.

This document contains a report regarding a proposed wind farm called Lethen, located north of the Cairngorms National Park. The Scottish Government Energy Consents and Deployment Unit (ECDU) is consulting with the Cairngorms National Park Authority on the application. The report outlines the purpose of the wind farm, site description and proposed development which includes 17 turbines with a maximum height of 185m. The report also includes advice from NatureScot, which highlights potential significant effects on the National Park's special landscape qualities (SLQs), including dark skies, wildness, and landscapes both cultural and natural. However, NatureScot advises that the integrity of the National Park would not be compromised. Despite this, due to conflicts with the National Park Partnership Plan, the recommendation is that the Cairngorms National Park Authority objects to the wind farm application due to the significant adverse effects.

This document contains information related to Agenda Item 8 of the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 22 April 2022. It's Appendix I, which focuses on the Lethen Wind Farm. Specifically, it presents the applicant's Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) for the Lethen wind farm alone, showing viewpoint locations and indicating how many turbines are theoretically visible from different areas, up to 45km away. The ZTV map considers principal visual receptors, such as roads, railways, core paths, and the National Park boundary.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Planning Committee Agenda Item 8 from 22 April 2022. It includes Appendix II, focusing on the Lethen Wind Farm. Specifically, it presents a cumulative Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) map showing the potential visibility of the proposed Lethen wind farm, in addition to existing and consented wind farms, within a 25km radius, using blade tip ZTV.

This document contains the approved minutes of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee meeting held on 22 April 2022. During the meeting, members present noted apologies, approved minutes from the previous meeting on 25 March 2022, and addressed outstanding actions. Declarations of interest were made by Carolyn Caddick, Pippa Hadley, Fiona Mclean, and Peter Ferguson regarding specific agenda items. The committee discussed and approved a detailed planning permission for the demolition of a derelict hotel and erection of affordable flats in Carrbridge, and also approved a planning permission for the erection of six dwellinghouses in Killiecrankie. Another planning permission regarding access hill tracks on Cairngorm Mountain was approved by the committee. The committee agreed to object to the Lethen Wind Farm consultation. Finally, the Convener noted the refusal of the Glen Shero wind farm application and thanked Nina Caudrey, Planning Officer. The next meeting will be held on 27 May 2022.