'Better protection for Nethy Bridge woods now in place'
A Nethy Bridge woodland is now much better protected from the threat of housing, the chief of planning for the Cairngorms National Park Authority has said.
A planning appeal by developers to build 20 homes in part of School Wood was thrown out because it would lead to the loss of valuable ancient woodland.
CNPA head of planning Gavin Miles flagged up the ruling to the latest planning committee meeting held and said: "It is a welcome decision in view of what was the (planning) committee's decision on the day and it supports our newly adopted Local Development Plan as well.
"The site does not have permission and it has been removed from the LDP so it is very unlikely to see any applications there in the future."
The committee turned down the bid for planning permission in principle last summer for the homes by 14-2 votes, going against their own planning officials’ recommendation after a two-hour hearing.
The application by CastleGlen Properties (Aberdeen) Ltd had been for seven affordable homes and 13 open market properties on the 1.97 hectares site between Craigmore Road and School Road.
Campaigners hail decision to protect School Wood from housing plan
