Planning Committee - December 2019

This document contains a notice of meetings for the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 13 December 2019 at the Community Hall, Boat of Garten. The Staffing & Recruitment Committee will meet at 10am, followed by the Planning Committee Meeting at 12.30pm. Agendas and papers for the planning meetings will be available on the National Park Authority website the Friday before the meeting. For access or other requirements, please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority office in advance of the meeting.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting on 13 December 2019. The meeting includes items such as welcoming attendees, apologies, reviewing the minutes from the previous meeting on 15 November 2019, and declarations of interest. Key agenda items include applications for detailed planning permission, one for engineering works at Cairngorm Mountain, Glenmore, Aviemore, Highland, and another for a forest/woodland access track at Balavil House, Kingussie, Highland, with recommendations to approve both subject to conditions. There will also be a Planning Service Performance Update, any other business (AOB), and a discussion about the date of the next meeting and quorum requirements.

This document contains a proposal for engineering work to smooth and re-grade land at Cairngorm Mountain in the Cairngorms National Park. The applicant, Mr Jim Cornfoot, is seeking permission to install drainage pipes and re-grade the base area of the lowest mountain piste to improve snowmaking and create a safer, wider slope for beginners. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) planning committee is reviewing the application, which has received both support and objections from the public and various organizations. While some are concerned about the environmental impact and lack of a masterplan for the area, others believe the proposal will enhance recreational opportunities and support the local economy. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Highland Council Flood Risk Management Team initially raised concerns but withdrew their objections after additional information was provided. The Park Authority's planning officer recommends approval subject to conditions to mitigate potential environmental impacts and ensure compliance with relevant policies.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix 1, for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 13 December 2019. The plans, reference number 2019/0247/DET, show the location of a drainage pipe installation route, including areas A, BCH, E, C, D, I, J, M, N and K, around the Base Station, Daylodge, Lower Loop Path, and Car Park Tow Track. The document also shows existing and new ground levels.

This document contains Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council's comment on planning application 2019/0247/DET, regarding engineering works to smooth and re-grade land at Cairngorm Mountain. The community council fully supports the proposal, stating that skiing is important for the economic development of the area and that the proposed work will minimise adverse effects on the environment, increase sustainable recreation opportunities, and support the local and National Park economy.

This document contains various statements of support for a planning application with the number 2019/0247/DET for engineering works to smooth and re-grade land on Cairngorm Mountain. These statements come from organizations like the Badenoch and Strathspey Schools Snowsports Association, the Cairngorm Mountain Trust, the Cairngorm Ski Club, and Free-Ski, as well as individual members of the public. Supporters believe the proposed works will enhance snowsports opportunities, improve beginner areas, promote economic sustainability, and better utilize snow-making equipment. They also highlight the potential for increased participation in snowsports, better coaching facilities, and more employment opportunities in the area.

This document contains objections to a planning application (2019/0247/DET) for engineering works to smooth and re-grade land at Cairngorm Mountain. Objections include climate change concerns, the lack of a Cairngorm master plan, potential for flooding, and the potential negative impact to the environment and surrounding wildlife. Many of those objecting feel that the current ecological surveys are inadequate and outdated. Objectors feel that the proposed work will damage peat and have potential impacts on protected species and sensitive habitats.

This document contains a letter from Mountaineering Scotland to the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 16 August 2019, regarding concerns about a planning proposal (reference number 2019/0247/DET) for engineering works to smooth and re-grade land on Cairngorm Mountain. Mountaineering Scotland believes the proposal lacks sufficient detail for proper scrutiny of potential visual and environmental impacts. They urge the Park Authority to postpone assessment until a development masterplan is in place. They also state that the proposal documents do not provide the special principles and practices needed to mitigate damage during construction and management operations and that careful consideration should be taken with the timing of the proposed management works. They would welcome and support a refusal of this proposal if there are any doubts about an appropriate outcome being achieved in the landscape.

This document contains information about a planning application submitted to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) for a forest/woodland access track at Balavil Estate in Kingussie. The application is retrospective, meaning the track was built before permission was granted. The Park Authority's recommendation is to approve the application, but with certain conditions to minimise the track's impact on the landscape and natural environment. These conditions include preventing further development beyond the track's current end point, restricting work on steep sections, and implementing a mitigation plan and ongoing monitoring. The Park Authority also considered representations from consultees and the public, including concerns about the track's steepness, impact on habitats, and potential for use in pheasant rearing.

This document contains plans for agenda item 6, appendix 1, planning application 2019/0347/DET, which was created on 13 December 2019 for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The plans include a road crossing culvert design from a parallel borrow pit and drainage channel, a site plan showing the location of track sections at Balavil Estate, a typical construction layout for repairing tracks, and a plan referencing a specific route from 27 November 2019. The track sections, labeled Croftcarnoch, measure approximately 1700m.

This document contains a supporting statement for the installation of forest tracks at Croftcarnoch Forest Plantation on the Balavil Estate. The estate wants to upgrade its network of tracks to help with land management, including thinning woodlands, planting native trees, and increasing deer management. Permission was previously granted for similar work, and this new project involves repairing and improving about 1.7km of track. The construction will follow guidelines to protect the environment, using on-site materials and proper drainage. The estate appreciates that any 'wash out' or track erosions through vehicle and weather damage will be continually taken care of as part of the ongoing maintenances.

This document contains an ecological report for the Croftcarnoch Forestry Track Upgrade on the Balavil Estate near Kingussie, Inverness-shire, dated 2 October 2019. EnviroCentre was asked to survey the track upgrades to help with future land management. The survey looked at the completed and planned sections of the track to assess any potential ecological impacts. The survey found no major negative effects on the ecology of the area, stating that the track used a high standard building process. It considered the long-term goals of rewilding the Creag Bhuidhe area. The report recommends mitigation measures for any future work on the track, like careful storage of soils and vegetation, following the Scottish Natural Heritage guidance 'Constructed tracks in the Scottish Uplands', working outside of bird breeding season, checking for bats and squirrel dreys, making contractors aware of protected species, and making sure animals can escape from excavations.

This document contains comments related to planning application 2019/0347/DET for the formation of a forest/woodland access track at Balavil House in Kingussie. The comments include an objection from a member of the public, Mr. Nick Kempe, who raises concerns about the steepness of a section of the track, potential erosion, and the encouragement of pheasant feeders. Additionally, the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG) objects to the application, citing concerns about the retrospective nature of the application, the ecological impacts of pheasant rearing, the potential disturbance to capercaillie, and the landscape impacts of the track.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) planning service performance update for Quarter 2 of 2019/20. The report notes internal planning service monitoring results, including updates on determination timescales and processing agreements. It also covers the proposed Local Development Plan Examination, enforcement updates regarding the monitoring of hill tracks, and the planning service's improvement priorities for 2019/20, such as simplifying planning obligations and increasing monitoring of hill track development. The next planning service monitoring report is expected in June 2020.