Planning Committee - May 2022

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 22 April 2022. During the meeting, members welcomed attendees and noted apologies, then approved the minutes from the previous meeting on 25 March 2022 with a minor amendment. They discussed declarations of interest from members, and then reviewed and approved (subject to conditions) planning applications for a hotel demolition and the erection of affordable flats in Carrbridge, the erection of six dwellinghouses and associated works at the Former Railway Yard in Killiecrankie, and the formation of access hill tracks near Cairngorm Mountain. The committee also agreed to object to the Lethen Wind Farm Consultation. Finally, the convener mentioned the Glen Shero wind farm application being refused, and the next meeting was scheduled for 27 May 2022.

This document contains a planning application for the formation of a mountain bike track and related infrastructure at Ranger Base Office, Cairngorm Mountain, Glenmore, Aviemore. The application, submitted by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited, was called in on 14 February 2022 and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and developer contribution. The proposal includes three interlinked mountain bike trails and a conveyor belt uplift system, located on the northwestern slope of Coire Cas, adjacent to the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre Day Lodge. The main planning considerations include the principle of development, landscape impact, environmental impact, access, and developer contributions, with various consultees providing feedback on the application. The application is supported by Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council, while objections have been raised regarding the potential impacts on the landscape and environment, and a developer contribution for road safety improvements is required. The Habitat Regulations Appraisal [HRA] concludes that there will be no direct or indirect effects on the habitats, their structures or function or supporting processes, subject to the inclusion of two planning conditions.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix 1A, application number 2022/0046/DET, concerning the Cairngorm Bike Trails location plan. The plans detail the location of ascent and descent trails as well as learner and mid-mountain zones. The document includes site location plans and maps of the Cairngorm Mountain area, outlining the proposed boundaries of the trails and different zones, also indicating areas for trail construction and excavation.

This document contains plans for agenda item 5, appendix IB, with the reference number 2022/0046/DET, for the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee on 27 May 2022. It details the proposed boundary areas, length, and area of ascent and descent trails in the upper zone of Cairngorm Mountain. The document also outlines trail sections and makeup, construction details, and conveyor belt track construction details with specifications, including trail length and average grade.

This document contains a Habitat Regulations Appraisal for a planning application (2021/0305/DET) by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, regarding the demolition of a derelict hotel and the building of ten affordable flats with parking at the former Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge. The appraisal, completed on 5 April 2022, looks at whether the project could negatively affect several protected areas known as Special Protection Areas (SPAs), particularly concerning capercaillie, a type of bird. The appraisal concludes that the development is unlikely to significantly disturb the capercaillie or harm the integrity of the SPAs, due to existing high levels of recreation and accessibility of the location.

This document contains community council comments, which are appendix 3 for agenda item 5 from the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee meeting on 22 April 2022. The comments relate to planning application 2021/0305/DET, concerning the demolition of a derelict hotel and the erection of ten flats with associated parking at Struan House Hotel in Carrbridge. While the Carrbridge and Vicinity Community Council (CVCC) generally supports the development, they raised concerns about pavement width and accessibility for disabled residents in the area and the potential loss of daylight and sunlight for nearby residents.

This document contains an agenda item regarding planning application 2022/0046/DET for the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee. The application is for the formation of a mountain bike track and related infrastructure at the Ranger Base Office on Cairngorm Mountain. It includes a comment from Mr. George Allan on behalf of the North East Mountain Trust (NEMT), which represents hill-goers. NEMT has concerns about the application, including the potential for damage to vegetation and the lack of guidance for users, and requests a tree planting plan. NEMT also seeks reassurance that this will be the extent of biking infrastructure in the area.

This document contains public representations objecting to the planning application 2022/0046/DET for the formation of a mountain bike track and related infrastructure. The Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group objects due to ecological and landscape concerns, potential harm to bats, the unreliability of risk assessments, lack of mitigation for water voles and ring ouzel, and increased traffic. They also question the suitability of Cairn Gorm for beginner trails due to weather conditions and argue the proposal contradicts the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) intention to reduce car use. Another objection raises concerns about the lack of an overall development plan, insufficient detail, adverse landscape and environmental impact, and failure to support Park Authority planning policies. Specific concerns include the lack of co-ordination, integration with existing infrastructure, potential damage to the environment and ecology, and that it isn't clear that the application complies with the Park Authority policies.

This document contains a proposal to the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee to change the use of land to build three staff farmhouses for Balavil Estate Limited. The plan includes associated access, drainage, landscaping, ground works, services and the demolition of Lynvoan Cottage and outbuildings at Land 795M West Of Garden Cottage Kingussie. The recommendation is to approve the development subject to conditions and developer contribution.

This document contains plans for agenda item 6, appendix IA with the reference number 2021/0407/DET from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee on 27 May 2022. The plans detail a proposal for Balavil New Farm Houses, located at A9, Lynchat, Kingussie, Highland, Scotland, PH21 1LT, with an overall site area of 1.99 hectares. The documents include location plans, site boundary plans, a general arrangement plan, contour plans with cross-sections, and proposed elevations and floor plans for three houses, labeled as house 1, houses 2+3 - balavil. These documents are for planning purposes.

This document contains plans for agenda item 6, appendix 1B of the Cairngorms National Park Authority planning committee meeting on 27 May 2022. It includes proposed plans, elevations, and drainage strategies for new farm cottages at Balavil Estate, specifically houses 1, 2 and 3, plus a detailed plan of the landscaping proposals including planting schedules and maintenance regimes. The drainage strategy includes a mound filter system for houses 2 and 3 and also a foul and surface water drainage plan. The plans were drawn by unit5architects and Ironside Farrar, with a scale of 1:100@A3 and 1:500 respectively, and last updated in October 2021 and April 2022.

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for planning application 2021/0035/DET, which concerns a change of use of agricultural land near Dinnet Bridge to create a caravan park with eight pitches, a storage shed, decking, and hot tubs. The appraisal, conducted in June 2021 by Stephanie Wade and Nina Caudrey and checked by Sally Mackenzie, looks at the potential impact on the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Dinnet Oakwoods SAC. The appraisal considers potential effects on freshwater pearl mussels, Atlantic salmon, and otters in the River Dee SAC, and concludes that the proposal is unlikely to have a significant effect on Dinnet Oakwoods SAC due to an existing deer fence. The report considers that there will not be an adverse effect on the River Dee SAC and all conservation objectives would be met.

This document contains an update for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Planning Committee on the performance of the Park Authority's planning service during Quarter 2 of 2021/22, including any available statistics for Quarters 3 and 4 of 2021/22. The update includes information on the use of processing agreements, determination timescales, and comparisons with other planning authorities. The report also highlights the Park Authority's progress on Planning Service Improvements for 2021/22 and notes positive feedback from the Scottish Government on the tenth Planning Performance Framework (PPF) for 2020/21. Finally, the document indicates that the next planning service monitoring report is expected in Quarter 3 of 2022/23.

This document contains the approved minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting held on 27 May 2022. The meeting covered several agenda items, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, declarations of interest, and detailed planning permissions. A key discussion point was the proposed formation of a bike track and related infrastructure at Cairngorm Mountain, which was approved subject to conditions and developer contributions after concerns were raised about potential conflicts between bikers and walkers, climate change impacts, and the need for such a facility. Additionally, the committee discussed and approved a planning permission for the change of use of land for staff farmhouses, including the demolition of a cottage, and received a Planning Service Performance Update Report. The meeting concluded with a motion to discuss two confidential items and set the date for the next meeting on 24 June 2022.