Green light - just - for large scale adventure play items at Cairngorm Mountain
The green light has very narrowly been given for large scale adventure play equipment at Cairngorm Mountain which opponents had claimed was the latest step in the ‘Disneyfication’ of the mountain resort.
A bid to throw out the application by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd lost by just 10-8 votes at the latest meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s planning committee in Grantown.
CMSL chief executive Susan Smith said after the close call: “We are delighted that the planning application was approved.
“This is another part of the masterplan being realised at Cairngorm Mountain.”
The main part of the proposals to be delivered in four phases include:
• a children’s interactive ball run track over six separate areas in the mountain garden area and by the Lower Cas car park.
• A jumping pillow of 14 metres by 10 metres proposed in the lower Cas car park area.
• Wooden ‘C A I R N G O R M’ climbing frame letters up to three metres high.
• A water rail feature similar in appearance, style and materials to the ball run.
• An animal timber play structure measuring five metres high by five metres wide and 12 metres long. The design plans show a pigeon but this is more likely to be a bird local to the Cairngorms such as a dotterel or ptarmigan.
Local Highland councillor Bill Lobban welcomed the decision after the meeting saying that Cairngorm Mountain plays a huge part in the local economy.
He commented: “This is yet another small step towards making the hill an all year round sustainable tourist destination which will benefit the whole area and bring continued security of employment for the workforce."
Robert Evans, of Ryden who are the applicant’s agent, had outlined the aims of the new additions.
He told the committee: “The core objective is to complement the wintersport activities by attracting families with children of all ages over the summer months…
“It is especially important this year as the mountain has been hit hard by the funicular railway not running.”
He added: “The site is starting to look really good - certainly I do not think it looks like Disneyland.”
But Tessa Jones, speaking on behalf of objectors Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group, said: “Cairn Gorm is an outstanding part of Scotland’s natural heritage and one of our highly valued Munros - it should never be treated as as a sacrificial mountain but is what we fear is now happening.
“Today’s development is being justified by the damaging impacts of previous developments.”
CNPA planning committee member Derek Ross said during the debate the followed that the play items were aimed at younger children and the weather could be ‘hostile’ with snow in the summer.
He continued: “I just think the whole thing looks tacky. I really do.”
He claimed the additions could deterioriate ‘really quickly’ adding: “We could have something which could cause reputational damage for the area. Look at something like Santa Claus Land - it went from being a tourist attraction to being something people wanted to avoid.”
Fellow member Eleanor Mackintosh said: “I think it is a step too far for the mountain and does nothing for the integrity of Cairn Gorm…. and there is no economic justification as far as I can see.”
But Russell Jones said: “As a lifelong resident of this area and someone who learnt to ski on Cairngorm in the early 1970s I have a huge soft spot for Cairngorm and I do not have a problem with his application at all to be honest.
“Anything which attracts more visitors and keeps Cairngorm Mountain viable year-round is a good thing. If walkers are so sensitive about walking through this area they can access the mountains from many other places.”
Fellow local member John Kirk said: “There are jobs up there and it is so important that we maintain them through the summer.”
The charge to getting one of the balls for the ball run is £5 and that provides access into the wider play area.
The new activities follow mountain carts launched in June at the resort and tubing slides which have been on site for a couple of years.
• The full debate by the Cairngorms National Park Authority can be viewed here on YouTube.
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