Refusal for holidays lodges in Glen Clova

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has refused a planning application from a tourist business in Glen Clova, that had hoped to add to its accommodation offering by building eight new holiday lodges.

The development – associated with the Glen Clova Hotel – was considered to have potentially negative impacts on the local landscape and was rejected by members of the CNPA Planning Committee at their meeting this morning (Friday 25 March).

Located to the northwest of the Glen Clova Hotel, the single storey lodges were proposed in an elevated location, set in a linear pattern, sited in two groups of four with new parking bays, a plant room and other associated infrastructure.

Addressing members of the Planning Committee, the CNPA’s Head of Strategic Planning, Gavin Miles outlined the reasons for recommending the application for refusal.

He said: “The number, siting, and design of the lodges proposed are inappropriate and would result in significant adverse effects on the landscape character, visual amenity, and Special Landscape Qualities of the National Park. The proposed development would be clearly visible by people travelling along the minor road through Glen Clova, as well as being very visible from tracks and paths upon the surrounding hill slopes, and by local residents.

“Furthermore, the buildings would appear ‘out of character’ because they are not similar in look or setting to the existing tourism accommodation already clustered around the hotel.”

While the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan has policies within it that support new tourist developments that encourage economic growth, those applications must not have any adverse environmental or amenity impacts on the site or neighbouring areas.

CNPA Planning Committee Convener, Dr Gaener Rodger commented: “While I support the idea of new and additional holiday accommodation in this popular area of the Cairngorms National Park and the economic benefits they would bring, developments must be sympathetic to the surroundings. This corner of the Park is particularly beautiful and we must protect it from any development that would have an adverse impact on the landscape and the character of Glen Clova. That is why I am happy to support the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.”

https://cairngorms.co.uk/working-together/meetings/meeting/planning-2022-03-25/

ENDS