Popular caravan park by Aviemore set for expansion
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Plans to expand a popular caravan park by Aviemore to meet the boom in stay-cations are being recommended for approval.
Cairngorms National Park Authority planners have said that the formation of a further 36 new pitches and two amenity blocks at Dalraddy Caravan Park will help to meet the pressure on tourism accommodation in the strath caused by the Covid pandemic.
The proposal submitted by Alvie and Dalraddy estates owner Dr Jamie Williamson also includes an additional 49 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points at the site around four miles south of Aviemore.
CNPA planning officer Alan Atkins states in his report recommending approval: "The application for additional tourist facilities seeks to enhance suitable overnight caravan and campervan facilities currently available at Dalraddy Holiday Park.
"This will in turn improve the management of and ease the growing pressure from visitors within the local area.
"The development will not introduce any significant landscape or environmental impacts subject to the recommended conditions."
Mr Atkins also stated: "This proposal is a direct response to an anticipated increase in Covid-related holiday patterns and will make a positive contribution to the experience of visitors.
"The showers and laundry facility will be appealing to visitors and will complement and enhance the existing on-site facilities."
Dalraddy Holiday Park site covers 39.3 hectares – and the proposed development area is 1.56 hectares.
The areas proposed for the expansion are currently planted pine woodland, and are located in the north west of the site, and by the existing entrance.
The proposed single storey amenity blocks will be 15m in length, 3.6m wide, with a height of 3m and comprise male and female shower rooms, a fully accessible shower room and toilets.
The blocks also includes a services room, laundry room and an outside covered washing area.
The buildings will be positioned on concrete blocks, and constructed using timber cladding, and a concrete tiled pitched roof.
Highland Council's transport planning team has said a 160m clear visibility splay in both directions along the B9152 public road is required for road safety.
They have also said that a new two-bay enclosed bus shelter should be constructed on the southbound B9152 given the lack of any nearby bus stop serving the caravan park.
Although there are no protected trees on the site, there are a few that are of special interest and that could have the potential to have suitable features for bats.
A preliminary bat roost assessment will be required to be carried out.
Kincraig Community Council has not submitted any comments on the proposed development.
There were no letters of representation submitted.
The holiday park lies around 800m from the protected River Spey and also other environmental designated areas at the RSPB Scotland's Insh Marshes and Alvie.
Mr Atkins acknowledged there may be an increase in impact on them and their resident species due to a potential increase in recreational activity in and around the caravan park.
But he pointed out: "A Habitat Regulations Appraisal was undertaken and it was concluded that the proposed development at Dalraddy Holiday Park is unlikely to have a significant effect on the protected sites.
"Given that there is no direct connectivity between the proposed development site and the protected areas there will be no significant impact on water quality of the site.
"Furthermore, it is recognised that any future visitors to the holiday park will be likely to follow existing routes and paths therefore any increase in disturbance is likely to be at an insignificant level for all local designated sites."
Members of the CNPA's planning committee will consider the application at their virtual meeting tomorrow.
