Planning Committee - 13 March 2026

This document contains a notice about the Cairngorms National Park Authority meetings scheduled for 13 March 2026. These will be hybrid meetings, meaning they'll be held both in-person and online. The schedule includes a Planning Committee meeting at 9.30am, a Formal Board meeting at 12.30pm, and an Audit and Risk Committee meeting at 2.00pm. You can find the agenda and papers for these meetings on the National Park Authority's website, www.cairngorms.co.uk/, starting from the Friday before the meetings.

This document contains the agenda for a Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting taking place on 13 March 2026 at 9.30am. The committee will discuss various planning applications, including proposals for a flood defence bund near Dalwhinnie, the creation of ten wildlife ponds in Ballater, the subdivision of a house plot and erection of two houses in Aviemore, and modifications to house types and road designs in Newtonmore, all recommended for approval subject to conditions. Other significant items include a recommendation to object to the Dorenell Extension Wind Farm proposal, a decision on a consultation response regarding onshore electricity generation, and an update on a Proposal of Application Notice for Kingussie Phase three, which outlines plans for 108 dwellings and related infrastructure.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Planning Committee meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority held on 23 January 2026. During the meeting, members approved the minutes from their previous gathering and then focused on an application for detailed planning permission. This application, submitted for Invercauld Caravan Park, proposed extending the site to include 18 motorhome pitches and 6 static caravan pitches, along with a timber boardwalk and landscaping. After careful discussion, covering points such as waste disposal capacity, electric vehicle charging, and disabled access, the Committee approved the application. A key condition added to the approval was a residency clause, ensuring that the new caravan pitches would be used exclusively for holiday accommodation, which helps to support tourism and address local housing needs. The meeting also included an update that planning permission for Laurel Bank, Aviemore, had been issued by Scottish Ministers.

This document contains a committee report recommending approval, subject to conditions, for the construction of a flood defence bund at Dalwhinnie. Proposed by the Dalwhinnie Flood Resilience Group, this community-led project aims to protect local residential properties from flooding and enhance resilience against climate change impacts. The proposed development, which includes a flood relief channel and will be one to one point five metres high, is located near the River Truim, part of the River Spey Special Area of Conservation. Key environmental and planning bodies, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NatureScot, and the Highland Council, have reviewed the plans and withdrawn their initial concerns or raised no objections, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include measures for archaeological supervision, protected species surveys, construction management, and biodiversity enhancements like native tree planting and wildflower seeding, ensuring minimal adverse landscape or ecological effects.

This document contains plans for new flood defences in Dalwhinnie, near the River Truim, as an appendix for an agenda item with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Proposed by the Dalwhinnie Flood Resilience Group, these detailed plans from 2025 show the location of new raised banks (called flood defence bunds) and a flood drainage ditch. The document also includes important information like ground surveys, details of existing underground pipes and cables, and safety notes, all designed to show how these measures will help protect the local community.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for a proposed flood defence bund near Dalwhinnie. This appraisal examines how the project might affect the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a protected natural area. While it found that freshwater pearl mussels and sea lamprey are unlikely to be impacted, there's a potential for significant effects on otters and Atlantic salmon due to construction disturbance, pollution, and changes to their habitats. The appraisal concludes that if specific protective measures are put in place, such as pre-construction surveys for protected species, timing work to avoid the Atlantic salmon spawning season, and implementing robust pollution prevention plans, there will be no lasting negative effect on the River Spey SAC.

This document contains a letter from the Dalwhinnie Community Council, confirming their full support for the proposed flood defence designs by the Dalwhinnie Flood Resilience Group. The Council notes that the applicant has worked well with them and local residents. They are satisfied that the planned flood protection measures will effectively safeguard homes and infrastructure in Dalwhinnie, an area that has experienced flooding in the past. These designs are thoughtful, addressing local concerns and incorporating environmentally friendly solutions. The Community Council fully endorses the proposals, believing the scheme will greatly benefit the community by improving resilience, keeping homes safe, and promoting long-term sustainability as the climate changes. Due to this public benefit, they also suggest that the Highland Council should consider reducing the planning application fee.

This document contains a committee report recommending the approval of a planning application to create 10 new wildlife ponds near Knock House, Strathgirnoc, Birkhall, Ballater. The British Dragonfly Society proposed these ponds to provide crucial breeding habitat for the rare northern damselfly and to enhance biodiversity and a wetland network across the Cairngorms National Park. The ponds are small, designed to blend naturally into the landscape, and will fill with water naturally without needing special infrastructure. The plan has received support from local councils and estates, and assessments show it will have minimal environmental impact, avoiding designated sites, deep peat, and archaeological features. Construction will be carefully timed to avoid bird breeding season, and several conditions will be applied, including a Construction Environmental Management Plan, to manage potential impacts like invasive non-native species and public access during the works.

This document contains plans for the Northern Damselfly Pond Project, which aims to create ten new ponds within the Abergeldie Estate, located in the Cairngorms National Park near Ballater and Crathie. Each pond, approximately 150 square metres in size for a total area of 0.15 hectares, is designed with shallow edges, about 30 to 50 centimetres deep, gradually sloping to a deeper central area of about 100 to 160 centimetres. These ponds will be built without blocking any existing watercourses, meaning no water will be held back, and will be accessed using existing farm gates and tracks, without creating any new ones. This information is associated with planning application 2025/0335/DET, dated 13 March 2026.

This document contains a consultation response from the Ballater and Crathie Community Council (BCCC) sent on 13 January 2026. The BCCC supports planning application 2025/0335/DET, which proposes to create 10 wildlife ponds at Knock House Strathgirnoc, Birkhall, Ballater Aberdeenshire. However, the BCCC asks the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) to ensure the Dee Resilience Strategy Group carefully considers the application. They suggest looking into possible changes that could bring extra benefits, such as improving the water table or reducing flood risk, in addition to the project's clear ecological value, especially because the site is located within the Dee Catchment.

This document contains a committee report from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee concerning a proposal by Davall Developments. They're seeking approval to build two 3-bedroom houses on Plots 58 (58A and B) at 34 Farm Road, Aviemore. This is a resubmission of an earlier plan that was approved but then withdrawn because the applicant didn't make a required financial contribution for affordable housing. The report recommends approving this new application, but only if a legal agreement or upfront payment of £9,675 is made towards affordable housing, along with other conditions. The proposal is seen to fit well with relevant planning guidelines, including the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (LDP).

This document contains plans for a proposed development within the Cairngorms National Park, presented as Appendix 1 for Agenda item 7 to the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 13 March 2026. It details planning application 2025/0018/DET for two new detached, four-bedroom homes, referred to as house type HT-133, on plots 58a and 58b at Dalfaber. The plans show the site layout, architectural elevations, and floor plans for these homes, along with details for external finishes, electric vehicle charging, bin storage, cycle parking, and the inclusion of air source heat pumps, which are energy-efficient heating systems.

This document contains a committee report about a planning application from Tulloch Homes Ltd. for changes within an ongoing housing development in Newtonmore. The company proposes to alter the house types on plots 22-25 and 31-32 from six 1.5-storey semi-detached properties to six single-storey semi-detached bungalows, all remaining 3-bedroom homes, and also to adjust the road and car parking design. The committee recommends approving the proposal, subject to conditions, as these market-driven changes are considered minor and comply with national and local planning policies. The report states there will be no significant negative impacts on the landscape, biodiversity, water environment, or the comfort of nearby residents, and the developer’s original obligations for community facilities are still met since the total number of homes isn't increasing.

This document contains plans for a proposed housing development on Perth Road in Newtonmore, submitted by Tulloch Homes Ltd under planning application 2025/0026/DET. It includes a location plan, a detailed site layout showing 81 proposed units with various house types and affordable housing, and specific architectural plans for one of the house types, the 'Cedar'. This particular home is a one-storey, semi-detached house with three bedrooms and a floor area of 82 square metres, featuring air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging outlets. These plans are part of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's agenda item 8, appendix 1, dated 13 March 2026.

This document contains a windfarm committee report from the Cairngorms National Park Authority about a proposed extension to the Dorenell Wind Farm, which is located northeast of the National Park within the Moray Council area. The proposal is for up to 67 wind turbines, ranging from 149.9 to 250 metres tall, along with associated infrastructure including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). After consulting with the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU), the Park Authority recommends objecting to the application. This is because the development would significantly harm the National Park's landscape character and its special qualities, known as Special Landscape Qualities (SLQs), such as its sense of vastness, wildness, and the distinct contrasts of its landscapes, particularly within the Glenbuchat and Braes of Glenlivet areas. The report concludes that these adverse effects would undermine the National Park's integrity and do not meet the policies set out in National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP), which are designed to protect these areas.

This document contains NatureScot's comments and objection to the Dorenell Extension Wind Farm proposal, which involves 67 turbines up to 250 metres tall near the Cairngorms National Park (CNP). NatureScot believes the proposal would significantly harm the special qualities of the National Park, particularly affecting landscape and visual aspects in areas like Glenbuchat and the Braes of Glenlivet, and it doesn't meet planning policy. To resolve this, they recommend specific changes, including removing or relocating several turbines and reducing their size to lessen their visual impact from sensitive viewpoints, also suggesting radar-activated lighting to reduce visible aviation lights.

This document contains a report for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee, dated 13 March 2026. It's about a 'Proposal of Application Notice' (PoAN) from Davall Developments Ltd for a significant housing development in Kingussie. This plan includes 108 homes and associated infrastructure on Site A (between Dunbarry Terrace and General Wade's Military Road) and 8 residential plots on Site B (adjacent to Ardbroilach Road). The report's purpose is to tell the committee about this upcoming development, which falls under the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan, and allow them to suggest specific issues the developer should consider when preparing the full planning application. It outlines various policies from the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (LDP), as well as key planning considerations like environmental impacts, landscape design, and infrastructure requirements, that the future application will need to address under these frameworks.

This document contains a Proposal of Application Notice from Davall Developments Ltd, outlining plans for the Kingussie Phase 3 development. This project includes 108 homes and related infrastructure at Site A, situated between Dunbarry Terrace and General Wades Military Road, and 8 residential plots with infrastructure at Site B, next to Ardbroilach Road in Kingussie. To involve the community, two public events will be held at The Iona Gallery on Duke Street, Kingussie, on 20 January 2026 and 5 February 2026, both from 2pm to 4pm. A dedicated website will also be active from 19 January 2026 until 13 February 2026, providing project details, virtual events, and an opportunity to submit comments. Furthermore, advertisements will appear in the Strathspey Herald on 8 January 2026 and 19 January 2026, and leaflets will be delivered to nearby homes between 29 December 2025 and 12 January 2026.

This document contains a Design and Access Statement outlining a proposed residential development, Kingussie Phase 3, by Davall Developments Ltd. The plan includes 108 dwellings and related infrastructure on Site A, located between Dunbarry Terrace and General Wades Military Road in Kingussie, as well as 8 residential plots with infrastructure on Site B, adjacent to Ardbroilach Road. This development, which is on elevated land north of Kingussie and within the area designated for residential development in the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan, requires public consultation due to its scale and will be supported by a Pre-Application Report.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's proposed response to a Scottish Government consultation about increasing the 50 megawatts (MW) threshold for onshore electricity generation developments. Currently, applications for larger projects exceeding 50MW are decided by Scottish Ministers, while local planning authorities handle smaller ones. The Park Authority supports raising this threshold to at least 100MW, believing it would allow more decisions to be made at a local level, aligning with the principle of "local by default, national by agreement." This change would also increase democratic accountability, better prioritize the development plan, and provide fairer funding for local planning authorities, who already carry out significant work as consultees for these projects.