Planning Committee - April 2023

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 28 April 2023 at 10am. The meeting will cover welcome and apologies, declarations of interest, and approval of the minutes from the 10 March 2023 meeting. The committee will discuss a detailed planning permission for the relocation of a snow factory, another for the construction of a forestry track (recommended for refusal), and a third for the erection of flats (recommended for approval). Additionally, the committee will review an application for a wind farm extension (no objection recommended). The next meeting is scheduled for 9 June 2023.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 9 March 2023. The meeting covered several planning permission applications, including a detailed planning permission for the formation of a road and suds basin in Newtonmore, the erection of self-catering apartments, shops, a hotel, and underground parking in Aviemore, the erection of commercial letting units and access roads in Knockgranish, and an application to remove an occupancy restriction associated with a planning permission. The committee also discussed the Ourack Wind Farm application and responded to the Highland Council Consultation on a Draft Grantown on Spey Conservation Area Management Plan. The meeting concluded with acknowledgements of departing committee members, and confirmation that the next meeting is scheduled for 28 April in Grantown on Spey.

This document contains a proposal to relocate a snow factory and its related infrastructure on Cairngorm Mountain, approximately 350 metres southeast of the Ranger Base Office. Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited submitted the application on 10 October 2022 and the Cairngorms National Park Authority recommends approval, subject to certain conditions to protect the local habitats and natural environment. The snow factory comprises of two shipping containers and will sit on a reinforced concrete base. A haul road will also be made. The proposal has undergone an Habitats Regulations Appraisal and it was concluded that there will be no direct or indirect effects on the habitats. It has been recommended that pollution prevention measures are implemented.

This document contains images relating to planning application 2022/0307/DET for 'plans' at Cairngorms National Park. The images show a snow factory, a structure made of white containers, at Cairngorm Mountain. There are safety notices and information about the Cairngorm Tube Slide visible on the containers.

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal, dated 28 April 2023, for agenda item 5, appendix 2, reference number 2022/0307/DET. The appraisal, conducted by Karen Aldridge on 25 January 2023 and checked by NatureScot on 3 February 2023, examines the proposed relocation of a snow factory and related infrastructure on Cairngorm Mountain. While the project has the potential to negatively impact the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the risk of pollution from sediment and fuel entering the watercourse, it concludes that if the Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) addendum is fully implemented, the conservation objectives for the River Spey SAC can be met and any adverse effects on the site's integrity can be avoided.

This document contains a planning application submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for the construction of a 4.83km forestry track, formation of passing places, and renewal of a bridge near Newtonmore. The application, submitted by Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate Ltd, was called in on 12 December 2022. The case officer recommends that the application should be refused. Several policies relating to landscape, natural heritage, and sustainable development are cited as reasons for the recommendation, as the proposed track is believed to have adverse effects on the environment, peatland, and landscape character of the National Park. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision to the Scottish Ministers within three months.

This document contains plans, dated 28 April 2023, related to agenda item 6, appendix 1, under reference number 2022/0421/DET. The plans depict a proposed forestry extraction track layout and location plan for the Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate in Newtonmore. The track runs from Glenbanchor Road to Ballochroan Corrie Road and has a scale of 1:5000. The drawing includes details of the existing and proposed tracks, roads, rivers, boundaries, passing places and other features in the area.

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal for a proposed construction of a 4.83km forestry track, formation of passing places, and renewal of a bridge near Newtonmore. The appraisal, dated 22 March 2023 and reviewed by NatureScot, considers the potential impact of the project on the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Monadhliath SAC. The assessment concludes that with specific mitigation measures, such as a robust pollution prevention plan, the project would not have an adverse effect on the site integrity of the River Spey SAC or the Monadhliath SAC. The document outlines conservation objectives for qualifying interests like Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, sea lamprey, otter and blanket bog, and details how the proposed development could potentially affect them.

This document contains objections to a planning application (2022/0421/DET) submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority regarding the construction of a 4.83km forestry track, formation of passing places, and renewal of a bridge near Riseley Cottage, Glen Road, Newtonmore. The objections come from members of the public, including the North East Mountain Trust (NEMT) and the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG), who are concerned about the negative impact on the landscape, wildness, and peatland, as well as potential disturbance to wildlife and the incompatibility of the proposal with the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) policies on private roads and landscape protection. Objectors suggest that smaller vehicles and alternative extraction methods could be used to avoid the need for a new road, and express concern that the primary purpose of the road is for estate management and sporting activities rather than timber extraction.

This document contains a planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for alterations to a previously approved housing development at Horse Field, north of Scandinavian Village in Aviemore. The proposal involves replacing three detached houses with three flats by adding an additional storey to an existing building, and relocating a footpath. The Park Authority's planning officer recommends approval of the application, subject to conditions. The Highland Council Transport Planning Team and Flood Risk Management Officer have no objections, and the Park Authority's Ecology and Landscape Officers also have no objections. Some concerns were raised by the public regarding potential impacts on flooding, visual amenity, drainage, privacy, light pollution, and noise, but these were addressed in the planning assessment.

This document contains plans for agenda item 7, appendix 1, reference number 2023/0019/DET, related to the Horse Field development in Aviemore by Tulloch Homes Ltd. It includes site layouts, elevations, floor plans, and sections for Block 4, as well as details for the bin and cycle store. The plans show the location of the development, the layout of housing and flats, and information on open space and accommodation schedules.

This document contains representations and objections for planning application 2023/0019/DET, which concerns the erection of three flats and associated works in Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Several neighbours and members of the public have raised concerns, including issues related to building on a floodplain, increased flood risk, the height and impact of the proposed flats, noise and light pollution, overdevelopment, and the developer's past compliance with planning restrictions. One commenter also questioned why this amendment was sent to The Highland Council Planning Department instead of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

This document contains agenda item 7, appendix 2b, which relates to representations for the 2023/0019/DET planning application. The representation included is an email from an individual regarding a planning application for the erection of three flats, omission of three houses, relocation of a footpath and associated works. The sender raises concerns about the site being right outside their living room window, the high prices of the properties, and the fear that the houses will be used as holiday homes or B&Bs rather than being bought by the local community. They advocate for affordable housing and express concerns about the negative impact on the future sale of their property, as well as the parking situation and invasion of privacy.

This document contains a planning application for an extension to the Clashindarroch Wind Farm, located near the Cairngorms National Park, submitted under the Electricity Act. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) is reviewing the proposal to assess its impact on the landscape and special qualities of the National Park, following advice from NatureScot. The proposed wind farm extension includes 22 turbines, and while some visibility from within the National Park is expected, NatureScot believes the effects on the area's special landscape qualities will not damage the integrity and objectives of the National Park. The Park Authority is being recommended to not object to the proposed wind farm extension.

This document contains information related to agenda item 9, appendix 1, regarding the Clashindarroch wind farm extension, application number 2023/0023/PAC, dated 28 March 2023. The document also includes a map depicting the theoretical visibility of the wind farm extension up to 20km from various viewpoints.

This document contains an agenda item regarding the Clashindarroch wind farm extension. Specifically, it's Appendix 2, dated 28 March 2023, and shows a combined Cumulative ZTV (CZTV). The CZTV map shows the theoretical visibility of the proposed Clashindarroch Wind Farm Extension in combination with other operational and consented wind farms. The map was produced following a request from the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 28 April 2023. The meeting covered several planning permission applications, including a snow factory relocation at Cairngorm Mountain (approved with conditions, including a potential bond for change of ownership), a forestry track construction near Newtonmore (refused), and the erection of flats in Aviemore (decision deferred for more visualizations). The committee also approved an application for a wind farm extension. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 June 2023.