WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE held at The Lecht Ski Centre, Strathdon on 7th September 2007 at 10.30am PRESENT Eric Baird Willie McKenna Geva Blackett Eleanor Mackintosh Duncan Bryden Anne MacLean Jaci Douglas Alastair MacLennan Dave Fallows Fiona Murdoch Lucy Grant Sandy Park David Green Richard Stroud Marcus Humphrey Susan Walker Bruce Luffman Ross Watson IN ATTENDANCE: Don McKee Pip Mackie Neil Stewart APOLOGIES: Stuart Black Mary McCafferty Nonie Coulthard Ian Mackintosh Drew Hendry Andrew Rafferty Bob Kinnaird WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 1. The Convenor welcomed all present. 2. Apologies were received from the above Members. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING 3. The minutes of the previous meeting, 24th August 2007, held at The Village Hall, Kincraig were approved. 4. There were no matters arising. DECLARATION OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS ON ANY ITEMS APPEARING ON THE AGENDA 5. Anne MacLen declared an interest in Planning Application No. 07/338/CP. PLANNING APPLICATION CALL-IN DECISIONS (Oral Presentation, Neil Stewart) 6. 07/328/CP - No Call-in 7. 07/329/CP - No Call-in 8. 07/330/CP - No Call-in 9. 07/331/CP - No Call-in 10.07/332/CP - No Call-in 11.07/333/CP - No Call-in 12.07/334/CP - No Call-in 13.07/335/CP - No Call-in 14.07/336/CP - No Call-in 15.07/337/CP - No Call-in Anne MacLean declared an interest and left the room. 16.07/338/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The development is related to the construction of 7 houses by the developer on an area of the approved development site earmarked for self-build plots. The proposal therefore raises issues in relation to the economic and social development of the area in the form of provision of self build houses, their affordability, and precedent for other future self- build residential developments. As such, the proposal is considered to raise issues of general significance to the aims of the Cairngorms National Park. Anne MacLean returned. 17.07/339/CP - No Call-in 18.07/340/CP - No Call-in 19.07/341/CP - No Call-in 20.07/342/CP - No Call-in 21.07/343/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The proposed road is of strategic relevance to the long term and wider development of the core area of Aviemore, including significant housing and retail developments, and as such is of significance to the collective aims of the Cairngorms National Park. 22.07/344/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The development is for the upgrade of an existing forest track and the construction of a new forest track in an area of woodland which is considered to be one of Deeside’s prime capercaillie habitats, and where the forest is designated on the Ancient Woodland Inventory. In addition, the tracks to be upgraded, and other paths in the locality, provide well-used and promoted public access routes, some of which are candidate Core Paths in the CNPA Core Paths Plan. As such, the proposal is considered to raise issues of general significance to the aims of the Cairngorms National Park. 23.07/345/CP - No Call-in COMMENTING ON APPLICATIONS NOT CALLED-IN BY THE COMMITTEE 24.The Members wished to make comments to the Local Authorities on the following Planning Application No’s 07/328/CP, 07/332/CP, 07/333/CP, 07/339/CP & 07/340/CP. The planning officers noted these comments and were delegated with the responsibility of whether or not to submit the comments to the Local Authorities. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 25.David Green reminded Members to inform him of any items to be raised under AOB prior to the start of the meeting. 26.Bruce Luffman asked the Planning Officials if a letter had been sent to SEIRU yet regarding the appeal at Galton, Dinnet. Don McKee responded that Mary Grier was to send the letter once she returned from annual leave and that a copy could be forwarded to any interested Committee Member. 27.David Green advised Members that the Local Plan consultation period was due to end on 28th September 2007.He advised that there was still a lot of work to be done to get the message across regarding the policies particularly regarding housing. David Green informed Members that a meeting had been scheduled for 3rd October between the CNPA and the 18 MSP’s whose wards were in or bordered the Park regarding this issue. A summary was currently being prepared covering the main points contained in the housing polices which Members may find helpful. 28.David Green informed Members that he had recently attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. He advised that the Chamber were keen for other Members to attend these meetings (which are held every few weeks) at which there was the opportunity for some lively debates to take place. 29.Don McKee reminded Members about the Planning training which was being held on 14th September at The Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. It was being run by TPS who had been appointed by the Scottish Government to carry out training for all planning authorities in Scotland. The training would be specially tailored to take account of the CNPA’s particular planning powers. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 69. Friday, 21st September 2007 at The Albert Hall, Ballater. 70.Committee Members are requested to ensure that any Apologies for this meeting are submitted to the Planning Office in Ballater. 71.The meeting concluded at 11:30hrs.