Planning and development
In addition to its role supporting communities, tackling nature and climate change, welcoming visitors and so on, the Park Authority has an important statutory duty covering planning in the National Park.
Informed by a Local Development Plan - and working closely with five local authorities - the Park Authority must ensure that development done in the National Park is appropriate and in the right place. Whilst all planning applications are made to the relevant local authority, if the application is important to the wider aims of the National Park, it will be 'called in' and decided by the Park Authority.
The work of our planning team is informed by a number of community-led plans, including Community Action Plans (where communities identify their own priorities and tackle the issues which are important to them) and Local Place Plans (providing an opportunity for communities to feed into the planning system). These are summarised below.
Alert
Featured
The new fire byelaw
How the Cairngorms National Park Authority and its partners are tackling the threat of wildfires, including details on the recreational fire management byelaw, in place from 1 April to 30 September each year.
Wildlife
The Cairngorms National Park is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species. Its rich habitats are a haven for an array of wildlife, from iconic birds to elusive plants and flowers.
What we do
From pioneering conservation projects to community engagement and active travel, find out more about the range of work happening across the National Park.
Planning advice and support
Relevant alerts
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Friday 29 May until Monday 1 June. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.