National park scales down house plans in line with need

Published on Monday 10 May 2010 21:35

SCOTLAND'S largest national park has reduced the number of houses it plans for the scenic area after being criticised for over- estimating future need.

In February, Scottish Government planning reporters said officials at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) were "over generous" in allocating new housing over the next six years.

Yesterday the authority published modifications to its first Local Plan for 1,568 houses and said it had accepted the recommended figure of 950 which will now be discussed by the park board on Friday.

However, it still faces criticism from residents over proposals for a series of housing developments in the park area.

CNPA also remains committed to a proposed new 1,500-home village at An Camus Mor, Aviemore, one of the government's sustainable community initiatives, despite the reporters saying they do not accept the need for it.

Following recommendations from the reporters CNPA is also proposing to remove housing sites in Boat of Garten and Cromdale.

The plan is for 25 per cent of all new housing to be affordable.

Karen Major, CNPA's development plan manager, said: "We are looking at a Local Plan which will ensure opportunities for development to support sustainable communities in the park for future generations and we welcome the reporters' support for the CNPA's Local Plan to go beyond – where possible – the current 25 per cent of all new housing to be affordable."

A consultation on the modifications runs until 2 July and it is hoped the plan can be adopted by the end of the year or early 2011.

A spokesperson for Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group said: "The report reflects an institutional failure to stand up for local communities against large scale developer driven projects."