A new four man chairlift is to be installed at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar replacing an old T-bar tow, with planning permission granted today by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).

The chairlift will take up to three times the amount of skiers and snowboarders to the slopes, with a capacity to transport 1,800 people per hour. The development is part of an ongoing programme at Glenshee to replace older infrastructure and improve the visitor experience at the site and is expected to be operational by 2019.

CNPA Planning Officer Katherine Donnachie recommended the application for approval outlining the reasons why: “The development complies with policies in relation to economic development as well as sports and recreation,” she said.

Eleanor Mackintosh, Convener of the CNPA Planning Committee said: “Glenshee is one of the Park’s key attractions and is very important to the local economy. I fully support this development and welcome Glenshee Ltd’s investment in the ski centre to ensure its ongoing viability and I am sure the new chairlift will prove very popular with skiers and snowboarders.”

The CNPA Board and Planning Committee meetings took place this morning (Friday 6 October) at Boat of Garten with five new faces at the table. It was the first meeting for new local authority members Xander McDade (Perth & Kinross Council), Carolyn Caddick and Pippa Hadley (The Highland Council), Walter Wilson (no longer a member) and Ian McLaren (Angus Council). They take over from Kate Howie, Gregor Rimell, Bill Lobban, Fiona Murdoch and Jeanette Gaul.

You can read the CNPA Board papers and Planning Committee papers on the CNPA website.