Planning approvals at Cairngorm Mountain
Planning approvals at Cairngorm Mountain
Car park charging is set to go ahead at Cairngorm Mountain after planning permission was granted today (12th June) for automatic barriers – and in a separate application from the operators of the ski centre – two new tube slides were approved.
An existing tube slide at the Coire Cas carpark has proved popular with visitors and now two more will be added having gained temporary planning permission from the Planning Committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
The planning permission, which runs until November 2021, is for one 30m beginners slide and a longer 52m slide and associated infrastructure.
The erection of two permanent, solar powered car park barriers on the entrance and exit of the Upper Coire Cas car park on Cairngorm Mountain will result in users having to pay to park between April and October.
Addressing Planning Committee members online, CNPA Graduate Planner Robbie Calvert said: “These are both low impact developments with the barriers being minimalist in design and scale and in the context of the main carpark, existing signage and wider ski infrastructure. The visual impact of the tube slides is also considered minimal and the development is of a temporary nature. I consider both applications meet with the relevant policies and recommend both for approval.”
Convener of the CNPA Planning Committee, Eleanor Mackintosh said: “Supporting economic growth is extremely important at this time, so long as there are no negative landscape or environmental impacts – and in the scheme of things – these applications are minor. The lack of a masterplan for Cairngorm Mountain, while frustrating, is not grounds to refuse these developments.”
A retrospective planning application for the upgrading of an existing track on the Clova Estate in Glen Clova was also approved today. An application for the 450m track was required as part of an enforcement notice issued previously by the CNPA, with the section of track upslope of this particular application being subject to an enforcement notice requiring its removal.
To read the planning papers in full please go here.
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Relevant alerts
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There is an ongoing wildfire situation at Glenmore within the Cairngorms National Park. Click here for all the latest. We would encourage members of the public to follow current guidance and be aware that the situation may change.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 24 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Friday 24 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.