Decision on new village in Cairngorms put off for now

Controversial An Camas Mor development taken off agenda

The decision on whether to grant planning permission for a new village near Aviemore has been delayed until later this year.

It had previously been understood that the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) planning committee would consider the An Camas Mor development at Rothiemurchus on Friday.

However, the application has been left off the agenda for the meeting in Aviemore – and will not now be considered until after the summer recess.

Members of the planning committee visited the proposed site in May with a view to deliberating the case this month.

It is understood that the application was left off this month’s agenda by mutual agreement between the developer and CNPA.

A spokeswoman for the national park confirmed that the site visit remains valid and will not be repeated, while the application is expected to go before the committee when they meet in August in Nethy Bridge.

The developers behind An Camas Mor were previously granted planning permission in principle in 2014.

The applicant has reapplied for permission to be extended as no detailed plans emerged in that time.

The ultimate vision is to build 1,500 homes on land at Rothiemurchus on the opposite side of the River Spey from Aviemore.

When the plans were submitted in March a spokesman for the development said: “The development will create a sustainable new community with a unique combination of affordable housing, small business premises and community facilities in a woodland setting.”

The development has always been controversial, with a consortium of environmental campaigners taking a legal battle to the Supreme Court before dropping their appeal because of the cost.

Groups such as the Cairngorms Business Partnership and Aviemore Community Council have given it their backing because of the economic benefit and the need for new housing in the area.

However, a number of objections have been made, mostly relating to environmental concerns.

SEEING FOR THEMSELVES: A visit by the Cairngorms National Park planning committee to the proposed site does not need to be repeated before the next discussion