New attraction at Landmark gets the go ahead

Plans to establish a new visitor attraction in the Cairngorms National Park got the go ahead today (Friday 18 September 2009) when the planning committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) approved planning permission at its meeting in Kingussie.

The proposed new mini-fun ride at Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge will be a gravity coaster ride contained in an area measuring just 29 metres by 17 metres in size and it is hoped that is will open in time for next years main tourist season.

The roller-coaster style train ride will have the capacity to take 24 people travelling at up to 24 miles per hour at heights up to nine metres off the ground.

Although the overall impact of the new development will leave a small environmental footprint, conditions have been attached to planning approval in respect of monitoring and protective measures for ants and red squirrels. Measures to ensure that juniper, a priority species that is currently growing on the proposed site, is tranlocated have also been implemented by the CNPA planning committee.

CNPA Planning committee member, Stuart Black said: “Landmark is a very popular attraction in the Cairngorms National Park and its operators have a long history of interpreting the natural heritage of the area. They do it especially well for young people making it fun and educational at the same time.

“The new attraction is likely to attract more visitors which should have a positive economic impact on Landmark, local employment and other businesses in the Park.”

Danny Fullerton, General Manager at Landmark Forest Adventure Park said: “It is part of a £1million improvement package which demonstrates Visitor Centres Limited’s commitment to tourism in the Cairngorms National Park. Another major new attraction is planned to come on stream at Landmark next year and details of this will be released soon.”