Scandinavian Village operators express big concerns over Aviemore housing plans
A neighbouring business to the Macdonald Aviemore Resort is objecting to the hotel group's plans for up to 180 new homes on its doorstep.
The long-established Scandinavian Village timeshare resort has said its guests' uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms will be destroyed.
Planning permission in principle is being recommended for approval by members of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's planning committee for the major housing proposal on the large expanse of hard-standing at the Aviemore resort.
The land lies vacant for most of the year but is used as the annual base camp for the Thunder in the Glens Harley Davidson rally and occasional exhibitions and accommodation.
An objection by the Scandinavian Village to CNPA planners states: "We are not against new development in the Aviemore area, however, the Scandinavian Village is a holiday resort with numerous guests enjoying the facilties over the past 40 years.
"There are over 2,000 owners at our site and numerous additonal guests, all of whom enjoy their stay in Aviemore and contribute financially to the local area and the national park.
"The owners and guests have enjoyed uninterrupted views of the Cairngorms and surrounding areas, this a vital selling point for promoting our holiday let business.
"On completion of this proposed development we will be effectively surrounded by new housing and this will have an adverse impact on our owner and guest visit experience, resales and rental oppertunities will lessen.
"We will lose our free space and excellent views with an added negative impact of increased traffic around the site.
"Any development adjacent to our site needs to be aesthetically sympathetic to our existing development and as such any proposed developer must surely be required to work in conjunction with us to ensure our business continues to contribute positively to the local economy."
Related article:
Plans for major housing development in centre of Aviemore recommended for approval
Members of the CNPA's planning committee are being recommended to approve the planning permission in principle when they meet at their headquarters in Grantown this Friday.
Head planner Gavin Miles states: "The proposed development sits on part of a site that is allocated for mixed uses including residential accommodation so the principle of development is easily established.
"There are no issues raised through the application that could not be addressed through applications for the detail of development that can be secured by condition and the development has potential to make a positive contribution to the economy of Aviemore and quality of life of people living, working and visiting Aviemore so is recommended for approval subject to conditions."
