Affordable homes back on track in Nethy Bridge after Ministers reject flood concerns
Badly needed affordable homes will now get built in Nethy Bridge’s Station Yard development after surviving recommendations of refusal by local and national planners.
The go-ahead has been given by Scottish Ministers for up to 21 properties at the site.
Flooding issues had threatened to derail the planning application by Grantown-based building firm AW Laing.
The application had originally been recommended for refusal by Cairngorms National Park Authority planning officers due to outstanding objections from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Highland Council in relation to the flood risk.
However, the committee members unanimously voted in mid August, last year, to approve the application because they consider the applicant had demonstrated the site was free from flood risk.
David Berry, CNPA chief planning officer, described it as ‘positive news’.
He said: “Because there was an outstanding objection from SEPA on flood risk grounds, it had to be referred to Scottish Ministers.”
A Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Reporter made a site visit, requested further information and conducted a virtual hearing session.
The Reporter then recommended in April to Ministers the application should be refused on flood risk grounds.
Mr Berry said: “Scottish Ministers have subsequently considered that report and sought further information themselves in particuar on flood risk to neighbouring properties and they have decided to approve the application subject to conditions which is effectively in line with the (CNPA) committee’s decision last year.”
CNPA planning committee convener Gaener Rodger said at the time of the approval: “While we fully acknowledge the advice and objections from SEPA and Highland Council, the imposition of robust conditions will hopefully allow this much needed development of up to 21 affordable homes in Nethy Bridge to go ahead.
“We know the application will now be referred to Scottish Ministers who will have the final say.”
