Plans for campsite by Dulnain Bridge rejected after claims of 'screaming matches' and other disturbance to neighbours
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Plans to create an ‘official campsite’ by Dulnain Bridge have been refused after claims of ‘screaming matches’ and other disturbance for their neighbours.
Cairngorms National Park Authority’s planning committee members rejected the bid for seven self-catering cabins, toilet and shower block and a manager’s house at their latest meeting in Grantown.
Ronald MacPherson and his wife Emmeline MacPherson were behind the plans for land 110 metres south-east of Boat of Balliefurth.
Car parking, a bike store and a refuse and recycling point also formed part of the proposal at the edge of Balliefurth Woods.
Mr MacPherson told the planning committee: “I was born and raised in the area and have worked here my entire life. I can trace my ancestors back to the 1700s living within a two-mile radius of this very building.
“I feel a strong connection to this village, surrounding area, its community and landscape.”
He explained: “When my parents purchased croft in 1986 the previous owners let three residential caravans to holiday-makers on the site and they also provided camping.”
Mr MacPherson said that a lot of their guests had been using the site for more than two decades. Amongst the groups he listed as users were the Army, RAF, University of Cambridge, Glenmore Lodge, Wilderness Scotland and Gordonstoun.
He said: “The campsite facilities are basic and do not meet the requirement and volume and need of visitors accessing the site especially given the steady rise in the number of River Spey descents in recent years.”
Mr MacPherson explained that his parents had decided the time has now arrived for him to take over ‘and breathe new life’ into the site.
He said the manager’s house was an essential part of the plan to manage the site and ensure rules are adhered to and to deal with any emergencies.
He pointed out that the proposal would enhance an existing facility and concluded: “We believe that this proposed development will be a great asset to the Cairngorms National Park and meet all its aims.”
There are just basic facilities including hot water on site at present.
Agent Jamie Whittle spoke on behalf of objectors Simon and Lynn Munro who are immediate neighbours who have lived there since 1986.
He said: “Our clients, and I say this genuinely, consider that this development will have a devastating impact on their lifestyle as it is so close to where they live.
“Our clients are recently retired and hope to spend this time enjoying the peace and quiet they have worked so hard to create.”
He said the couple had no objection to the MacPhersons building a house but ‘strongly objected’ to the rest of the development.
Mr Whittle claimed no proper consideration had been given to neighbour amenity: “Our clients have referred to screaming matches where people will run across fields, holding their breaths screaming as loud as they can, well into the night on occasions but causing general disturbance,
“There is increase traffic on the road and people coming in to our clients’ property.”
He said the proposed toilet block, car parking and bin area would be located next to his client’s boundary – saying the Munros were ‘really dismayed by this’ given the applicants have a site of 35acres of land. He pointed out: “They are much closer to our client’s house than they are going to be to the manager’s house.”
Committee member Paul Gibb had asked if the manager’s house and self-catering pods could be switched to cut disturbance but he was told by planners it was the proposal on the table that had to be determined.
The bid was rejected by the planning committee after siding with the Munros’ concerns and going against their planners’ recommendation.
Concerns also included the potential impact on numerous species of birds, otter and hare as well as on the landscape.
Going against recommendation of their own planners
CNPA planners had been supportive of the application.
Park authority planning officer Emma Bryce stated in her report: “The application will introduce formal campsite facilities onto the site contributing to the provision of further, low cost tourist accommodation within the area whilst complementing the operational and economic viability of the existing croft business.
“Subject to appropriately worded conditions any environmental and landscape impacts will be suitably mitigated against and in the longer term kept to a minimum.
“The development has been sited and designed to respect its setting and the wider landscape character of the site.”
