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 Community Hall, Boat of Garten on 23 January 2009 at 10.30am PRESENT Eric Baird Bruce Luffman Stuart Black Mary McCafferty Duncan Bryden Eleanor Mackintosh Jaci Douglas Ian Mackintosh Dave Fallows Anne MacLean Lucy Grant Fiona Murdoch David Green Andrew Rafferty Marcus Humphrey Richard Stroud Bob Kinnaird Susan Walker IN ATTENDANCE: Don McKee Mary Grier Marie Duncan APOLOGIES: Geva Blackett Drew Hendry Willie McKenna Gregor Rimell Alastair MacLennan AGENDA ITEMS 1 & 2: WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 1. The Convenor welcomed all present. 2. Duncan Bryden referred to the forthcoming 250th anniversary of Robert Burns and informed members that Robert Burns has passed through what is now the Cairngorm National Park visiting Aviemore on his 1787 tour describing it as “a wild romantic place”. 3. Apologies were received from the above Members. AGENDA ITEM 3: MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING 4. The minutes of the previous meeting, 9th January 2009, held at Albert Hall, Ballater, were approved subject to a typo amendment on point 25 e). 5. There were no matters arising. AGENDA ITEM 4: DECLARATION OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS ON ANY ITEMS APPEARING ON THE AGENDA 6. Andrew Rafferty declared an interest in Planning Application No. 09/009/CP. AGENDA ITEM 5: PLANNING APPLICATION CALL-IN DECISIONS (Oral Presentation, Mary Grier) 7. 09/002/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The development is proposed in an area which is the subject of many designations including the Inch Marshes and River Spey SAC, SPA and SSSI. The path through the site is also a candidate core path and in addition is also the start / end point of the existing Badenoch Way. The proposed works would involve enhancing visitor facilities at the nature reserve. The proposal is considered to be of general significance to the aims of the national park, and is of particular relevance in terms of conserving and enhancing the natural heritage of the area and also promoting the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the general public. 8. 09/003/CP - No Call-in 9. 09/004/CP -No Call-in 10.09/005/CP - No Call-in 11.09/006/CP - No Call-in 12.09/007/CP - No Call-in 13.09/008/CP - No Call-in Andrew Rafferty left the room 14.09/009/CP - No Call-in Andrew Rafferty returned 15.09/010/CP - No Call-in 16.09/011/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The application relates to an earlier planning decision on which the Cairngorms National Park Authority was the determining planning authority. In addition the application concerns a development proposal which is of a significant scale, and is in a prominent position within one of the main settlements in the national park. Consequently, the proposal is considered to be of general significance to the aims of the National Park. 17.09/012/CP - No Call-in 18.09/013/CP - No Call-in 19.09/014/CP - The decision was to call-in the application for the following reason : • The proposed development would result in the introduction of a micro hydro energy scheme, involving the development of a micro hydro turbine building. The proposal is of significance to the aims of the national park in terms of the natural heritage of the river and the cultural heritage of the existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the site. In addition, the proposal is of significance to the National Park aims in the context of promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the social development of the local community. The proposal therefore raises issues of general significance for the collective aims of the Cairngorms National Park. COMMENTING ON APPLICATIONS NOT CALLED-IN BY THE COMMITTEE 20.The Members wished to make comments to the Local Authorities on the following Planning Application No’s 09/003/CP, 09/005/CP, 09/006/CP 09/007/CP, 09/008/CP, 09/010/CP & 09/012/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. AGENDA ITEM 6: ANY OTHER BUSINESS 21.Don McKee informed Members the dates for the Local Plan Inquiry were being firmed up and would be confirmed following a business meeting with the Reporters. 22.Don McKee advised members Architectural & Design Scotland wished to come and speak to Committee. It was agreed that one of the provisional spare Fridays could be used for Architectural & Design Scotland perhaps combined with discussion on Section 75 Agreement. AGENDA ITEM 7: DATE OF NEXT MEETING 23. Friday 6th February 2009 at 9.30am, the Community Centre, Nethybridge. 24.Committee Members are requested to ensure that any Apologies for this meeting are submitted to the Planning Office in Ballater. 25.The meeting concluded at 11:15hrs.