Widespread community opposition to plans for glamping pods near Old Speybridge in Grantown
A planning application for four glamping pods, a service hut and a parking area by Old Speybridge in Grantown which has attracted more than 50 objections is being recommended for approval.
Neil McKenzie has applied for the development 125 metres north east of Mid Anagach after falling in love with the area.
Highland Council’s South Planning Applications Committee (SPAC) members will determine the bid at their next meeting on Tuesday at the local authority’s headquarters in Inverness due to the level of opposition.
Grantown Community Council is objecting to the proposals on the grounds of access and parking, amenity and the environment.
They contend that the road and site are unsuitable for the development. The watchdog told planners the public road at Spey Bridge and the unmade road through Anagach are unsuitable for increased traffic. They said both are used by pedestrians and cyclists and would become dangerous if the go-ahead is given.
Community councillors described the site as ‘very sensitive’, and claim the development ‘threatens wildlife of all kinds’.
They have been joined by a host of other local residents in raising objections which also include:
• the impact to Capercaillie leks and Anagach Woods SPA (Special Protection Area);
• loss of trees;
• site not zoned for development;
• noise and light pollution; and
• visual amenity because the ‘pods not in keeping with the area’.
However, in recommending approval, council planner Laura Stewart describes the proposal as a small scale tourist development.
She states in her report: “It is widely known that demand exists within the Cairngorms National Park area for tourist accommodation and the application is supported by an assessment of tourism and market demand.”
The planner states the scale, design and location of the proposal is such that it is unlikely to significantly impact on neighbouring residential amenity.
She adds: “As confirmed by the consultation response from NatureScot the proposal does not give rise to significant concern in terms of potential environmental impact to protected species, in particular capercaillie, over and above the current impacts arising from the existing use of the woodlands and local area by residents and visitors.”
Two proposed pods which sleep two people measure 7.9m by 4m while two larger planned pods are designed to sleep four people and are 4m by 10.5m. The pods are designed to have the appearance of an upturned hull.
Both sizes are to be finished in timber with double doors to the front elevation and a small window to the rear. There are no windows on the curved sides of the pods.
The proposal also includes the formation of a new access from an existing private track which runs to the south of Anagach Woods. This leads into a shared car parking area with seven spaces and a service hut.
The service hut is of the same design as the pods with a footprint of 4m by 6m.
A path leads to the pods which have a decking area to the rear. Solar panels are to be installed in the southern portion of the site alongside a soakaway for foul water.
The applicant has advised a manager will be employed locally and there will be a member of staff on-call 24/7 to deal with any issues.
Mr McKenzie states in support of the bid: "We want to build this glamping site because of a love we have for Grantown, the Cairngorms and Speyside.
"My family and I have been holidaying here the past number of years and tell anyone that will listen how fantastic the area is.
"We are hoping to develop this site so that others can experience Grantown and its surrounding areas as we have over the past number of years.
"The vision we have is to create a high-end luxury glamping site that will attract tourists to the area that would not normally come to Grantown, in particular families and couples.
"It will be heavily marketed online via social media which will open up a whole new clientele that may normally bypass Grantown in favour of other well established Scottish resort areas such as Aviemore or Perthshire."
He added: "The pods themselves will be built locally in Grantown, and where possible all work will be carried out by local people and companies...
"We have a goal to preserve the beauty of the area and as such the site and the pods will be built and operated as sustainably as possible."
Mr McKenzie said the site will be marketed mainly to families and couples and intends to draw people to enjoy the 'luxury facilities' that the pods will offer.
He said: "Due to the high-end specification, the pods will command a high-end rate which will deter party groups. Stag and hen parties will not be permitted to book the pods.
"We intend to be good neighbours and contribute to the surrounding areas in as positive a way as possible.
"Finally, it is our intention to use a portion of the profit from the glamping business to improve and protect the area’s habitats, wildlife and visitor experience, particularly in relation to the Anagach Woods, which we will be proud to neighbour."
The site is an open field located approximately 1.4km to the southeast of Grantown's town centre and is 175m northwest of the River Spey. At their nearest points to the site, the nearest houses are Mid Anagach and Easter Anagach which are approximately 90m southwest and 190m northeast respectively.
The site lies partly within an area of semi-improved grassland and partly within existing woodland consisting mainly of birch.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority's landscape adviser noted in a submission that the site is in a ‘fairly discreet’ location and the area has some landscape capacity for the development proposed, and scope to fit in with the local landscape.
It was acknowledged that the development will be clearly visible by people using the adjacent access road and to some residents and that this would contrast with the agricultural character but landscape mitigation could reduce its prominence.
The full details of the application can be read here
