Plans to extend playtime at Cairngorm Mountain

It is all go at Cairngorm Mountain - and not just because of the launch of the new go carts at the attraction tomorrow.

The resort has lodged plans with Highland Council’s planning service for an adventure area and other play equipment at the site.

The proposals include:

• A play structure - aroposed timber play structure in the under-utilised space between the existing tubing slides. A tunnel could be used for access to the play structure.

It is suggested that this play structure could be in the shape of a bird or animal such as a ptarmigan, eagle, grouse, osprey, hare or deer and would act as the focal point of the play area.

• Ball track - A children’s interactive ball track facility is proposed in the mountain garden area adjacent to the Lower Cas Car Park.

These will be a variety of designs up to 1.5m height and of timber construction and will be micro-sited according to specific local topography and ground conditions.

It will be removable features that will be dismantled and taken off site for storage over the active winter months.

• Jumping pillow - A ‘jumping pillow’ of 14 metres by 10 metres is proposed in the Lower Cas car park area.

• Climbing frame letters - The proposed wooden ‘CAIRNGORM’ letters, up to 3m high, along the western edge of the Lower Cas car park would provide a separate climbing frame.

• Interactive water features: A proposed water rail feature will be of similar appearance and style to the ball run facility. It will be a demountable facility that can also be removed during winter months and snow sports activities between the Day Lodge and Base Station.

This will utilise the water that flows from the mountain garden and down the existing drainage channel.

A second interactive water feature along the edge of the adventure play area will utilise the water that currently flows beneath the car park in the existing culvert.

• Covered seating areas: Proposed covered seating booths will provide shelter, encourage customers to stay for longer.

A food and drinks cart which would be a movable structure or trailer sited on a hardstanding area is also proposed, along with the addition of wood carvings.

The latter could be used for interpretation and education or as part of a tick list trail activity combined with other features across the site.

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd state in the submission: “The application is for improvement and upgrading of existing facilities and promoting controlled use within designated areas.

“The benefit of this to the wider environment is that it will enable more people to enjoy the outdoor facilities but in a more controlled manner within a better defined area.

“The wider benefits to natural resources and biodiversity will therefore be positive.”

The resort operator adds: “The proposal is largely focused on areas of car parking, hardstanding and areas already utilised on the lower slopes with footpaths and desire line tracks present throughout.

“There will be no further impact on the wider area or any designations.”

CMSL concludes: “The facilities will provide for extended summer months use and attraction to the mountain.”

More details are available on the plans at Highland Council’s e-planning portal accessed via www.highland.gov.uk .

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