Strath conservationists win local plan amendments
Conservation groups are celebrating increased protection for a number of woodland species following a Scottish Government Reporter’s findings on the Cairngorms National Park’s latest blueprint.
Specific recommendations, including the removal of the controversial School Wood site earmarked for housing in Nethy Bridge; changes to another controversial housing site in Carrbridge, and the effective land supply expected from An Camas Mor within the life of the plan from 2014-2019 to be reduced from 276 to 133 units.
Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) officers have begun studying the finer detail of the 432-page report, with a view to presenting the modifications to November’s planning committee for approval.
Once approved, the CNPA Local Development Plan, modifications and all the supporting materials will be sent to Scottish Ministers, and it is expected the plan will be formally adopted by the park authority in February next year.
Murray Ferguson, director of planning and rural development at the CNPA, said: "We welcome the Reporter’s conclusions and will consider carefully all their recommendations before we take the modifications to the committee in November.
"The development of the plan has involved consultation with communities, businesses and interest groups all across the park, and I look forward to its adoption early next year."
There was relief from local conservationists on several grounds. Members of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group were amongst those who provided evidence to the inquiry over controversial housing allocations at Carrbridge and Nethy Bridge.
Chairman Dr Gus Jones told the "Strathy": "We are naturally delighted at the Reporter’s recommendation to retain two areas of native pinewoods at Carrbridge and Nethy Bridge which are of great value for wildlife and amenity.
"We now look to the CNPA to take the Reporter’s recommendations to heart in their consideration of the live applications at these two outstanding sites."
Alice Farr, planning manager at Buglife, commented: "It’s fantastic to see that modifications to damaging developments in Carrbridge and Nethy Bridge have been proposed by the Cairngorms Local Plan Report.
"Not only will this help protect rare and endangered bugs, such as the narrow-headed ant which is found in the woods at Carrbridge, it will also safeguard our precious Caledonian pine woodland.
"However, at Carrbridge, the meadow south of Crannick Park Road is still earmarked for new houses. Buglife hopes development impact on bees and other pollinators using this flower-rich meadow will be taken into account and minimised."
