Improved water on the way for Tomintoul residents

The Planning Committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNAP) has given the green light to Scottish Water for a £3million project to improve drinking water for Tomintoul residents.

Meeting in Ballater today (Friday 21 August), the CNPA planning committee granted planning permission for the re-development of the treatment works at Blairnamarrow, comprising a new water treatment works building, access road and associated landscaping.

Planning Officer Derek Manson recommended the development for approval. Addressing members of the committee he said: “The application is considered to be an essential upgrade that has been demonstrated to be necessary and beneficial to the local community. The upgrade will not only address the current water quality issues but Scottish Water has also built in enough capacity in the process to cater for the potential population and demand growth in the area.”

Speaking at the meeting, local board member Eleanor Mackintosh said: “This approval of this planning application will be welcomed by the entire community who have, on many occasions been issued with warnings not to drink the water – or boil it before use – because the currents works have failed.