Former bank to take on new role as affordable flats
Former bank to take on new role as affordable flats
A former bank in Kingussie is being brought back to life as affordable rental properties after the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee approved the plans at its monthly meeting this morning (Friday 12th November).
The 19th century building on the town’s High Street, which is owned by The Highland Council, will be converted into three flats with the erection of two cottage flats in the rear garden of the property.
Addressing members of the Committee, Planning Officer Alan Atkins said: “We very much support developments within settlements that reuse derelict buildings such as this. This project will provide five affordable dwellings in a central location within Kingussie with easy access to services and public transport.
“The mixture of one and two bedroom properties to rent will help meet the needs of the local community and its sympathetic design is in keeping with the surroundings. I therefore recommend that the application from The Highland Council is approved subject to conditions.”
Planning Committee Convener, Dr Gaener Rodger commented: “This development is of great ‘interest’ to me and I am sure I am not ‘a loan’ in offering it my full support. Full ‘credit’ to The Highland Council for ‘saving’ this former bank and converting it to 100% affordable housing to rent. This type of planning application is what we like to see happening in the Cairngorms National Park on ‘account’ of the lack of suitable accommodation in some areas for local people.”
Also at today’s CNPA Planning Committee meeting, two Section 42 applications from Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd – seeking permission to change the condition requiring the operation of the tube slides to cease and the structures to be removed by 1st November 2021 – were also approved. This gives to go ahead for the ski centre to continue to operate this visitor attraction for a further five years to November 2026.
To read the Planning Committee papers in full please go here.
Alert
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Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
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Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.