Peatland restoration works starting to come through planning system in Badenoch and Strathspey
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A change in Scottish planning policy has resulted in a raft of applications for peatland restoration works being lodged for prior approval with Highland Council’s planning service in recent weeks.
They include part of BrewDog’s plans for the ‘Lost Forest’ on Kinrara Estate south of Aviemore.
The proposed works for land 5.6 kilometres south west of Insharn, Carrbridge, have been lodged by Lost Forest Ltd, c/o Scottish Woodlands Ltd based at Gairland Interspace Business Centre in Fochabers.
A change to the permitted development rights for peatland restoration works recently came into force and these are the first of the applications coming to light.
More applications have been lodged this past week by Cluny Estate (Jersey) Ltd for peat restoration works on land 2290 metres south-west of Glenballoch, Glen Road, Newtonmore and by Tulchan Sporting Estates Ltd for land 5910 metres north-west of Callander Cottage, Advie.
The previous week there were applications for Dunachton and Kincraig Estate per John Forbes-Leith, Dunachton Lodge, for peatland restoration on Dunachton Estate by Kincraig; JAHAMA Highland Estates, for Glenshero Estate on land 2570 metres south-east of Shepherd's Cottage, Drummin, Laggan and Pitmain and Glenbanchor Ltd for works on Pitmain Estate by Kingussie.
Several more applications were made earlier in the month including by the RSPB for part of their Abernethy reserve by Nethy Bridge.
A Cairngorms National Park Authority spokeswoman said: "Peatland restoration schemes can now be permitted development and authorised through a process of applications for prior notification or prior approval with details of the project.
"The CNPA is informed of these prior notification or prior approval applications by the local authorities and can comment or call-in the applications if they are considered significant to the aims of the national park."
