Park Authority planning committee approve tourism projects

Applications that support tourism projects and housing have been approved by the Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee today (Friday 26 January).

A farm shop, café and staff accommodation project at Logie Coldstone has been approved, despite planning officers recommending it for refusal on the grounds it did not meet sustainability policies. The new farming business will involve the growing of fruit trees, soft fruits and organic vegetables together with beehives for on-site production of jams, jellies and relishes, which will all be sold in the farm shop.

Nearby, detailed planning permission has been granted for the retention of a car park, toilet and refuse facilities at Clarack Farmhouse, Dinnet to support the management of visitors at the popular Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve.

Meanwhile in Strathpey – the go ahead has been given for 25 holiday lodges, access road and associated infrastructure at the Aviemore Highland Resort, on the site of the old dry ski slope. Planning permission was also approved in principle for three house plots at Inshcraig, Insh, near Kingussie, with these plots being exclusively for the delivery of affordable homes in the area.

The committee also agreed to support the Highland Council’s Badenoch & Strathspey Short-term Let Control Area. The local authority’s non-statutory short-term let control area planning policy will now be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications for short-term lets in the Badenoch and Strathspey area.

Planning Committee Convener, Cllr Chris Beattie said: “It’s been a very interesting mix of applications before us today with developments that support the local economy.”

To read the planning papers in full, please go here.