Start date set for new town
A START date for a new town near Aviemore – the first ever to be built in a national park in the UK – has been targeted for Spring, next year.
Elgin-based builder Springfield Properties was yesterday (Tuesday) named as the developer of the first phase of the development for eventually up to 1,500 homes at An Camas Mòr on Rothiemurchus Estate.
The firm’s chairman Sandy Adam revealed to the "Strathy" that they hope to apply for detailed planning permission by December, later this year, for the 200 houses.
Mr Adam described it as a "hugely exciting project" for his company.
He said: "I would love to get on site next year and by the time the winter after next comes around to have some houses wind and water-tight."
He also revealed that between 35 per cent and 45 per cent of the development in the first phase will be affordable homes – and perhaps more.
Springfield Properties is a family-owned company established in Elgin in 1956.
The company has built over 2,000 homes since 1998 and under Mr Adam, grandson of the founder, has become one of Scotland’s largest independently-owned house builders.
"My business philosophy is very simple: look after your customers – give them good value for money and good service – and the business will be successful," Mr Adam said.
He added: "Mr Johnnie Grant (laird of Rothiemurchus Estate) and I agree that everything here has to be done right."
And he pledged: "The landscape will shape this development, not the other way around."
Mr Adam said that the reputation of his own building firm, Mr Grant, Rothiemurchus Estate, the Cairngorms National Park and indeed Scotland was at stake.
He said he had met Mr Grant several months ago: "It slowly began to dawn on me that he was inviting us to get involved in building the first ever village in a national park in the UK and at the same time it dawned on me what an awesome responsibility this is."
Around 4,000 people could eventually live at An Camus Mor.
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The initial phase of the new town over the River Spey from Aviemore will comprise 80 affordable homes, 95 homes for private sale, 25 self build plots and some communtiy benefit – probably a community hall.
The proposal for a new town at An Camas Mòr was first made by Aviemore Community Council in 1989.
Mr Grant, owner of Rothiemurchus Estate who are leading the consortium, said: "With Aviemore now reaching its natural limits and the Cairngorms National Park Authority decision in principle, it’s time to start.
"We will continue to work with the community council to ensure An Camas Mòr reaches the standards befitting Rothiemurchus, the national park and this special place in which I was born, brought up and have worked for most of my life."
On the decision to go with Springfield Properties, Mr Grant said: "They have a track record as an excellent provider of homes and facilities and they are successfully delivering affordable homes in today’s economy; we are delighted to welcome their team."
The first homes are expected to be built by the Nethy Bridge road at the east end of the proposed High Street because of lower servicing costs.
Mr Bill Lobban, vice-chairman of Aviemore Community Council, welcomed the announcement. "The community at large has always been in favour of this project although we might have concerns about tiny details," he said.
"There are, of course, certain pressure groups who do not like anything being built anywhere.
"In most cases if you are talking about building a large housing development – and over the years this will be a very large housing development – there is some reticence in local communities but, here, this is not the case."
Springfield Properties have pledged to hold a public meeting ahead of the application going in for the 200 new homes.
The Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group is unhappy that the plans are moving forward, however.
They are one of three bodies involved in a legal challenge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh to the Cairngorms National Park Local Plan which includes the principle of the development at An Camas Mòr
BSCG spokesman Gus Jones, referring to the action, claimed: "This could add uncertainty and may have implications for the developer in attracting investment if they need capital."
He added: "The proposed new town of An Camas Mor is a national disgrace.
"It threatens a National Scenic Area and exceptional biodiversity interests for which Scotland has national and international obligations."
