Two major applications were approved today under the Park Authority’s new Planning Committee Convener, Russell Jones. Meeting today in Ballater, the committee approved applications for a development of 35 houses off Lettoch Road at Nethy Bridge and a floodplain restoration scheme on the River Dee near Braemar. 

The applicant, AW Laing, designed the Nethy Bridge housing development to minimise environmental impact and enhance biodiversity. The landscape plan includes native tree and wildflower planting, nature corridors, rain gardens and an integrated sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS), contributing to the ecological value and resilience of the site. 

The applicant also intends to build housing on a site at Station Yard, Nethy Bridge, that had planning approved for 21 houses earlier this year. The Station Yard site will be built entirely as affordable housing and will provide the affordable housing requirement for both developments. In total, the two sites will provide 56 new homes in Nethy Bridge, 21 (37.5%) of which will be affordable, far exceeding the normal 25% requirement for developments in this part of the National Park. 

In Deeside, an application for a floodplain restoration scheme on the River Dee near Braemar was also approved. The project is part of the Cairngorms 2030 programme and aims to restore natural river processes, better connect the river to its floodplain and improve the quality of habitats in the river and on the floodplain.  

Russell Jones has been a Park Authority board member for over three years and took up the role of Park Authority Planning Committee convener on 16 June. He said: “I am delighted that these two significant applications have been approved today by the Park Authority Planning Committee.  

“The housing development at Nethy Bridge not only delivers much-needed homes - including a substantial proportion of affordable housing - but does so in a way that prioritises biodiversity, the resilience of the site and a sense of place. Similarly, the floodplain restoration near Braemar represents the kind of nature-based solution that will support ecological resilience and help the National Park adapt to climate change. 

“It’s a privilege to support this work as Planning Committee Convener and I look forward to working with members to consider more projects like these.” 

Russell Jones was nominated by Park Authority Convener Sandy Bremner and seconded by Park Authority board member and Deputy Planning Committee Convener, Paul Gibb. No vote took place as Mr Jones was the only candidate nominated.