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CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 
Paper x 1 6 February 2009 

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 


FOR DECISION 

Title: RESULTS OF CONSULTATION ON 2ND MODIFICATIONS TO DEPOSIT LOCAL PLAN 

Prepared by: Karen Major, Planning Officer 

Purpose 

To update the Committee on the results of the consultation on the 2nd modifications to the 
Cairngorms National Park Deposit Local Plan and agree the next steps towards Local Plan 
Inquiry. 

Recommendations 

That the Planning Committee: 

1. Formally note the responses to the consultation on the 2nd Modifications to the Deposit 
Local Plan and the next steps towards the Local Plan Inquiry. 

Executive Summary 

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has a duty to prepare Local Plans for the Park and has 
been engaged in Local Plan preparation since September 2004. A series of 2nd modifications to 
the Plan were published on 7th November 2008 and closed on 19th December 2009. The 
responses to these changes are appended, and the report now asks the Board to note the 
responses, and confirm that no further modifications are proposed to the Plan. It also seeks to 
agree the next steps to take the plan towards Local Plan Inquiry. 

RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION ON 2ND MODIFICATIONS TO THE 
DEPOSIT LOCAL PLAN – FOR DECISION 

Background 

1. The Cairngorms National Park Authority was established in September 2003. The 
Designation Order for the Park (S.S.I. 2003/1) conferred the duty to prepare Local Plans 
under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to the Park Authority. The 
National Park Authority publicised its intention to prepare the Local Plan in 2004. 

2. Following extensive consultation and subsequent amendment, a 2nd set of modifications 
were subject to public consultation during November and December 2008, and the 
results of this have now been analysed. 79 responses have been received, 49 from new 

objectors, relating to all the 2nd modifications. The full written responses are appended 
to this report. 

3. The majority of objections relate to the change to the % requirement to Policy 21 
Affordable Housing, the inclusion of an additional policy regarding Gypsies/Travellers 
and Travelling Show people, confusion regarding the renumbering of the policies in 
regard to policies following the new policy 30, and the general consultation process 
followed. In total 334 issues have been raised, some of which are new objections, and 
some relate to the previous wording which has been retained. 

4. The responses received have been considered, and it is not proposed to include any 
further modifications to the plan prior to the Local Plan inquiry. Whilst ongoing 
negotiations and discussions continue, at this point, it is not proposed to formalise these 
into the production of any 3rd modifications, but rather have the issues discussed and 
fully considered through the inquiry process. 

Next stages to follow prior to commencement of Local Plan Inquiry 

5. In light of the analysis and recommendation that no further modifications be placed on 
deposit, the next step towards the adoption of the Local Plan is the consideration of 
outstanding objections at the Local Plan Inquiry. 

6. The inquiry, to be commenced in May 2009 will be the next formal stage where 
objections are considered. To prepare for this we will continue to liaise with objectors 
on the precise nature of their outstanding objections, and the nature by which they wish 
those objections to be considered, the options being by written representations, by 
informal hearing or by formal inquiry. We will also continue to seek acceptable solutions 
to objections where possible, and will endeavour to go into the inquiry with as many 
objections with an agreed position between the National Park Authority and the 
objectors as possible. To give a clear indication of the officer position going into the 
Inquiry a final report will be submitted to the Committee on 6th March 2009 to remind 
members of previous analysis of objections and add any further comments or views 
which will influence the statements presented at the Inquiry. 

7. Once a finalised date for the commencement of the inquiry, we will also ensure all 
advertisements and notifications are carried out in line with the regulations and Circular 
guidance on Local Plan Inquiries. 

Recommendation 

8. That the Planning Committee formally note the responses to the consultation on the 2nd 
Modifications to the Deposit Local Plan and the next steps towards the Local Plan 
Inquiry. 

Financial Implications for the Park Authority 

9. The budget for publication and consultation on the Local Plan is planned for in the 
operational plan. 

Karen Major 
23rd January 2009 

karenmajor@cairngorms.co.uk