New homes in Strathspey village recommended for approval
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Plans for the erection of 18 houses – including eight affordable properties - are being recommended for approval by Cairngorm National Park Authority planners in a small Strathspey village.
The proposal by Valley Construction Services is for the new development to be built north of Auchroisk, Station Road in Cromdale.
The plans have received 10 objections and seven representations in support of the proposed use of the site covering an area of approximately 1.2 hectares.
It is currently undeveloped agricultural land in the village which has a population of around 250 people.
Emma Bryce, CNPA planning manager, states in her report: "The application seeks permission for a residential development of 18 houses with associated infrastructure, eight of which are affordable.
"The site will consist of six detached units, two four-bedroom dwellings and four three-bedroom dwellings. The remainder will be semi-detached properties of two and three bedrooms."
Access for traffic will be via a new junction off the village's Kirk Road.
Concerns expressed by objectors include:
* whether there has been an appropriate level of consultation undertaken with service providers like NHS Scotland and the Emergency Services.
* The suitability of Kirk Road for accessing a development of this scale.
* Housing design and density proposed is not in keeping with similar properties in the area.
* The proposed shop within the development needs to consider what produce it sells to be a viable option for the development and village as a whole.
* Proposed tree and hedge planting will interfere with visibility.
* The siting of the affordable units will result in overlooking and loss of privacy to existing adjacent properties.
Support for the application has said that additional housing and retail is beneficial for the village as a whole.
Ms Bryce, recommending approval, stated: "The application is for new housing on an allocated site within an identified settlement.
"The site is considered capable of being developed and serviced without any significant landscape or environmental impacts subject to the recommended conditions.
"Any remaining points of detail that have not been sufficiently addressed will be resolved through the imposition of appropriate conditions."
A new pedestrian access will be formed to provide a link to the existing footpath which runs along the main thoroughfare through Cromdale next to the A95 Aviemore-Keith road.
NatureScot has stated any impacts on the Cromdale Burn could affect the Spey's conservation designations, and therefore standard best practice should be adhered to during any construction.
Mammal survey work confirms that otter are present and use the Cromdale Burn. No confirmed holts were located but possible resting sites are present upstream of the development.
Further mitigation will be required to address impacts on otter during any construction works.
The CNPA's own landscape advisor states the layout and high density of some of the houses would contrast to the typical landscape pattern of the area.
The dwellings will be two storey and will be finished in white wet-dash render with timber cladding and grey uPVC.
Members of the CNPA's planning committee will consider the application when they meet virtually on Friday.
