Call for ideas
Part of: The next Local Development Plan
Closing soon on 12 June 2026
Consultation open until 12 June 2026
We are carrying out a Call for Ideas, inviting communities, individuals and organisations (including groups, clubs, charities and businesses) to present ideas to help influence the creation of the next Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan.
The ideas may relate to a particular place, policy or something else entirely which is relevant to the new local development plan. Every suggestion, large or small, can help ensure the National Park’s development reflects the needs and ambitions of the people who live, work, and visit here.
If you are, or represent, a landowner and have a particular site that you wish to be considered as an allocation in the new plan, please complete the call for sites form.
If you are unsure which form you should complete, see our guidance note or contact us at [email protected].
- Ideas relating to a specific place such as new community facilities, areas that you wish to be protected such as greenspace or a suggestion for community growing space in your settlement. You don’t need to own the site to make a submission.
- Ideas relating to policy including those in the current Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan and any supplementary guidance, the Evidence Report, Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 or elsewhere
- Anything else, whether it’s an adjustment to a settlement boundary or conservation area, views on whether a development should go ahead or not or anything which may help form the Local Development Plan.
For the call for ideas, the required information is limited to your name, a way of contacting you and the nature of your idea, any further information you may wish to provide is optional. We welcome as much information as you are willing to provide on your idea.
The Local Development Plan sets the planning framework for the National Park and guides decisions on future development. Your suggestions will help us propose policies which reflect local circumstances, identify where development is most needed, understand community priorities and opportunities, support sustainable growth that respects the National Park’s special landscapes and plan for a low carbon, nature positive future.
By taking part, you directly contribute to shaping an area to reflect the collective aspirations of its communities.
As we move into the later stages of the Call for Sites and Ideas, we expect a decision on our Local Development Plan Evidence Report. The appointed Reporter will determine whether the Evidence Report contains sufficient information to allow preparation of the Proposed Plan. If they are satisfied, the process can move forward. If they are not, they will produce an Assessment Report outlining the reasons for this and recommending how the Evidence Report should be improved. Should an Assessment Report be issued, we will review it carefully and consider any implications for the progress of both the Call for Sites and Ideas and the Proposed Plan.
Once the Call for Sites and Ideas has closed, Cairngorms National Park Authority officers will begin the process of assessing the ideas and sites received. We will publish the location of sites proposed, together with their size, proposed use and capacity as part of our Proposed Plan consultation in 2027.
Whether you represent a community group, a business, a voluntary organisation, or have a personal idea that could benefit the Park, we want to hear from you. Together, we can help the Cairngorms National Park remain vibrant, inclusive, and resilient for decades to come.
You can submit your site through our online form below, where you’ll be asked to provide relevant information. Maps, layouts, sketches, or supporting information are welcome but not required. You can also download and complete the form and submit it by email, post or directly to our Grantown-on-Spey office.
All submissions will be assessed against national planning policy, existing infrastructure capacity, deliverability, environmental considerations, and the statutory aims, vision and objectives of the Cairngorms National Park.