A community housing project in the Cairngorms National Park is set to go ahead after the Cairngorms National Park Authority approved affordable housing plans on the site of an old school.

The planning application from the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust sought permission to redevelop the former secondary school site to create 12 affordable properties with a mixture of homes to purchase or rent. The development includes a range of semi-detached and detached house types, ranging from single storey to two storey dwellings. Three of the units are proposed as live/work houses being suitable for use as an office, workshop or studio.

The site on Tomintoul’s main street has been derelict for many years after the secondary school closed in 2000.

Addressing members at the CNPA’s online Planning Committee this morning, Planning Officer Stephanie Wade said: “This project is fully supported by our policies to deliver new affordable housing within communities. The development proposed will provide a mix of tenure with properties available for discounted sale and for social rent, as well as providing live/work flexibility for a number of the units in support of the local economy. The design is in keeping with the distinct character of the village and will greatly enhance the main street with this derelict site being brought back into use.”

CNPA Planning Committee Convener Gaener Rodger added: “I am delighted to be able to support this application for 100 per cent affordable housing in Tomintoul. The Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust are to be congratulated on the work they have done in securing funds and now planning permission for this project, which will be of huge benefit to the local community.”

Also at today’s CNPA Planning Committee meeting, members approved an application from Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd for the reconfiguration of the Ciste Car Park to provide overnight serviced parking facilities for campervans and motorhomes. The plans include the installation of fencing, a water supply point, chemical disposal point along  and other necessary infrastructure.

To read the Planning Committee papers in full please go here.