THE Cairngorms National Park Authority is holding drop-in sessions throughout August to allow the public to comment on a document setting out the future development of the Park.
The Cairngorms National Park Deposit Local Plan sets out proposed policies, guidance and management for development and land use in the Park for a five-year period.
It is currently out for public consultation and to help the public understand the document drop-in sessions are being held. They will allow people to discuss the proposed policies and any concerns they have, before submitting their formal comment in writing.
They will be confidential, one-to-one sessions with planning officers to discuss how the plan and its policies have been created as a result of consultation with public and private partners.
The meetings will run from 10.30am-5pm and are open to all regardless of where they live.
They take place over the following dates:
- Thursday 2nd August and Thursday 9th August – Badenoch Centre, Kingussie
- Friday 3rd August and Tuesday 7th August – HIE Office, Upper Mall, Aviemore Business Centre
- Tuesday 14th August and Monday 20th August – CNPA Office, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey
- Friday 10th August and Tuesday 21st August – CNPA Office, Ground Floor, Albert Memorial Hall, Station Square, Ballater
Anyone unable to attend can arrange an appointment to meet with a planning officer at a more convenient location and time.
Karen Major, the CNPA’s Local Plan Officer, said: “We would really encourage people to attend the ‘drop-in’ sessions or to make their own appointment.
“This is a document that will set out the future development of the Park, therefore it is important that people living and working in the Park respond to it. By speaking directly with Planning Officers they will be able to understand what the policies will mean and it will allow them to make informed comments that could help to shape the final approved Local Plan.”
The closing date for formal comments and objections, which must be made in writing, is September 28th. Following this the Deposit Local Plan will undergo any necessary modifications.
It will have several stages to go through before it is formally adopted as the Cairngorms National Park Local Plan, which is not expected to be for at least another year. Once adopted it will replace the local plans currently in existence for the four local authority areas covering the Park: Aberdeenshire; Angus; Highland and Moray.
For more information on the drop-in sessions or to arrange an appointment phone 013397 53601 or email [email protected]