Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 This document contains mapping data PLANNING reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2021. All rights Cairngorms National Park reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number Local Development Plan 2021 1000040965. Any unlawful use or copying other than for the purposes of viewing and printing is prohibited. The document is for reference purposes only. No further copies may be made. The representation of features or boundaries in which the Cairngorms National Park Authority or others have an interest does not necessarily imply their true positions. For further information please contact the appropriate copyright holder. The maps in this publication are for information only and should not be used for navigational purposes. This document is available in large print on request. Please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 01479 873535. It is also available to view at www.cairngorms.co.uk Published by Cairngorms National Park Authority 14 The Square Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HG Email: [email protected] Tel: 01479 873535 www.cairngorms.co.uk © CNPA. March 2021. All rights reserved. 1 Contents Contents Document Key 1. Introduction 4 Introduction to the Local Development Plan 4 Flood Risk Assessment How to use the Plan 7 Approach to planning in the Cairngorms National Park 7 Links to other strategies 8 Drainage Impact Assessment 2. Vision 10 3. Spatial strategy 14 Landscaping and structure planting 4. Policies 18 Overview 18 Road improvements Relationship with the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 18 Policy 1: New housing development 22 Policy 2: Supporting economic growth 32 Cycle networks and footpaths Policy 3: Design and placemaking 38 Policy 4: Natural heritage 44 Recreational infrastructure Policy 5: Landscape 50 Policy 6: The siting and design of digital communications equipment 54 Policy 7: Renewable energy 58 Cultural heritage Policy 8: Open space, sport and recreation 62 Policy 9: Cultural heritage 66 A Masterplan Policy 10: Resources 70 Policy 11: Developer obligations 78 5. Community information 84 Housing Overview 84 Site allocations 84 Tourism Environmental considerations 87 Other considerations 90 Maps and legend 90 Economic development Settlement contents 92 Published by Cairngorms National Park Authority Appendix 1: Housing allocations and housing land supply 221 © CNPA 2021. All rights reserved. Community Appendix 2: Schedule of land ownership 223 Front cover photo: Braemar © Jakub Iwanicki/VisitScotland/CNPA Photo credits: CNPA; Malcolm Cross 2018; Mark Hamblin/2020VISION/CNPA; Glossary 224 Jane Hope; Jakub Iwanicki/VisitScotland/CNPA; P&J Photography; Damian Shields/VisitScotland/CNPA; Wee Epics 3 Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 Introduction 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Local Development Plan 1.1 The Local Development Plan for the Cairngorms National Park is the main document which will influence future built development in the National Park. 1.2 The planning system is all about guiding new development – making sure we have enough land for development in the most appropriate locations. This helps us to meet our needs for housing, jobs and services at the same time as protecting and enhancing our environment. 1.3 The planning system in Scotland is ‘plan- led’. This means we must prepare a Local Development Plan setting out a strategy for future development. The Local Development Plan must include sites and proposals for development as well as the policies that are used to make decisions on applications for planning permission. 1.4 The Plan focuses on the five year period until 2025. However, it also includes development proposals for the 10 year period until 2030, as well as providing a general indication of the likely scale and location of development as far as 20 years into the future. “The planning system is all about guiding development – making sure we have enough land for development in the most appropriate locations.” 4 5 Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 Introduction 1.5 The Plan focuses on built development and How to use the Plan is one of a range of plans and strategies (see more detail in ‘Links to other strategies’ 1.7 The Plan has five sections: Introduction; 1.12 If you are interested in a particular p9) that helps us manage the development Vision; Spatial Strategy; Policies; and subject, or a site that is not within and use of land to deliver the four Community Information. Each section a defined settlement, we would statutory aims of Scottish National Parks1: provides important information. Together, recommend that you refer to the they explain the future development Policies section in the first instance. • to conserve and enhance the natural strategy for the National Park and outline 1.13 It is important to remember that and cultural heritage of the area; the policies and site allocations that will planning applications will be assessed • to promote sustainable use of the be used to assess planning applications. against all relevant parts of the Plan. If natural resources of the area; 1.8 The Policies section contains you are applying for planning permission • to promote understanding and three general types of policies: you should look at all of the policies enjoyment (including enjoyment in • Park-wide policies that apply to all new and site allocations that are relevant the form of recreation) of the special developments in the National Park; to your proposal and make sure your qualities of the area by the public; and development complies with them all. • map-based policies that apply to • to promote sustainable economic developments in specific areas; and Approach to planning in the and social development of Cairngorms National Park the area’s communities • topic-based policies that apply to specific types of development 1.14 In the Cairngorms National Park, more 1.6 The Cairngorms National Park Authority (e.g. housing, economic than in any other part of Scotland, there (CNPA) must work to deliver these development etc). is a partnership approach to planning. aims collectively. However, if when The CNPA and the five relevant local carrying out any of our functions it 1.9 A number of the policies are supported by authorities – Aberdeenshire Council, appears to us that there is a conflict Supplementary Guidance which provides Angus Council, Moray Council, Perth between the first aim and any of the extra detail on the use and application of & Kinross Council and The Highland others, we must give greater weight the policy. This Supplementary Guidance Council – all play a key role in making to the first aim2. This is a sustainable has the same weight in decision making the planning system work effectively. development approach in which as the Local Development Plan itself. conservation of the natural and cultural 1.10 The Community Information section 1.15 The CNPA sets the planning policy heritage underpins the economic and includes guidance for all of the defined framework for the National Park. This recreational value of the National Park. settlements in the National Park. It is achieved through the Cairngorms identifies sites that are appropriate for National Park Partnership Plan and the specific types of development as well Local Development Plan. All planning as important open spaces that should applications in the Park are determined be protected from development. in line with this policy framework. 1.11 If you are interested in a particular 1.16 However, planning applications are community, or a site within a defined submitted in the first instance to the settlement, we recommend that you relevant local authority. The CNPA read the Community Information then ‘calls in’ and determines the most section before referring to any relevant significant planning applications for policies in the Policies section. the Park (generally around 10% of all applications), leaving the remainder to be determined by the local authorities3. 1 The four aims are set out in Section 1 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 3 You can find more information about how the planning process works in the National Park in our Planning Service Charter 2 This requirement is set out in Section 9 (6) of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 and our Planning Service Protocol at www.cairngorms.co.uk 6 7 Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 Introduction Links to other strategies Figure 2: The key plans and strategies for the Cairngorms National Park 1.17 The Plan is not produced in isolation. 1.19 The Partnership Plan is the overarching It is one of a number of key strategies management plan for the Cairngorms Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan which together form the policy context National Park which is approved by The management plan for the Cairngorms National Park for the management of the Cairngorms Scottish Ministers. It sets out the National Park, as shown in Figure 2 (see vision and over-arching strategy for opposite). It is influenced by, and in turn managing the National Park, as well as influences, a range of other documents. identifying priorities for action and an overall strategic policy framework. 1.18 One of the key documents that Local Active Cairngorms Economic LEADER guides the content of the Local 1.20 Scottish Government guidance states Development Cairngorms Nature Action Plan Local Development Plan is the Cairngorms that Local Development Plans for Plan Development The outdoor Sets out the Sets out the National Park Partnership Plan. National Parks should be consistent Strategy Sets out the access strategy National Park’s economic with the National Park Partnership policies for land for the conservation priorities for the Sets out the Plan. The Partnership Plan therefore use planning National Park priorities National Park priorities for provides the strategic context for within the promoting the Local Development Plan, and the National Park community- Local Development Plan will help to led local deliver a number of the Partnership development Plan’s policies and priorities.