The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is due to discuss the potential sale of the Cairngorm Estate at its monthly board meeting on Friday 04 November.
Highland and Islands Enterprise has commissioned land specialists Bidwells to investigate the full range of possible ownership options for this area of land and to assess ‘exit routes’ from its continuing ownership of the Cairngorm Estate. Bidwells is expected to complete its investigations by the end of 2005.
Despite the fact that legislation allows the CNPA to own land, senior Park Authority staff would wish to see further investigations into a number of options including Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) assuming ownership of the estate.
FCS has already expressed an interest in taking on the estate – rejoining it to its holding at Glenmore – and ensuring the involvement of relevant national and local interests in advising on its management.
CNPA board members will be asked on Friday to approve or reject the recommendations made in the report, which states:
“The CNPA should not seek to own land but should focus instead on influencing management by others. There should be wide stakeholder involvement in deciding the future ownership and running of Cairngorm Estate and FCS should be encouraged to explore further the possibility of assuming ownership of the Cairngorm Estate subject to them adopting an inclusive approach to its management and delivering a range of public benefits.”
This board paper can be accessed in full at the CNPA website: www.cairngorms.co.uk/parkauthority/papers