Watchdog drawing up views on Aviemore village centre development
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Aviemore’s community councillors have weighed up hundreds of comments from the public over the plans to develop a prime Grampian Road site for a hotel and apartments.
Upland Developments has lodged plans for 23 self-catering apartments, shops, a hotel and underground parking 80 metres south-west of the Mountain Café.
The proposals include a court open to Grampian Road and a public gathering space.
Apartments would sit above the shops on two sides, facing on to the court on the third side and the hotel would be built over the basement parking.
The Aviemore developer has said the design will consolidate the village, “enhanced by the three-story building height”.
The watchdog had canvassed for local views on the development ahead of its virtual meeting held on Thursday evening.
Community councillors described it is an important planning application which will have a big impact on the village centre for a long time to come. More than 260 comments were submitted on social media with views covering all angles, from “don’t build it, it’s too high” to “I think it looks great, not too high at all”.
Watchdog chairman Peter Long said after the meeting: “We certainly got a lot of feedback.”
He told the Strathy there had been a good exchange of views with members taking full account of the posted local opinions.
Mr Long said: “We now have to sit down and compose our formal submission to Cairngorm National Park’s planning committee, the application to the Highland Council having been called in.
“At this stage I can only say there are design issues we would like to see addressed, but the submission is yet to be drafted and approved so I’m not in a position to be specific.”
