Self-build in the park just got more expensive!

Guidance on the amount of affordable housing developers will be expected to contribute when building in the Cairngorms National Park has been officially adopted.

 

Meeting in Nethy Bridge on Friday 4 March 2011, the Planning Committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) welcomed this as a step to getting more housing in the Park that is affordable for people on modest incomes.

 

CNPA Strategic Policy Officer, Alison Lax, said: "Research shows there is a lack of affordable housing in the Park. We highlighted this as a priority in the National Park Plan 2007-2012 and it led to a specific policy in the Local Plan to address it. This guidance is for developers to use and for Local Authorities and us as planning authority to deliver so we can work towards addressing the problem."

 

It means that for every house built within the Park that can be sold on the open market, a contribution must be made towards the provision of affordable housing:

 

Developments of three or more dwellings will be required to incorporate a proportion of the total number of units as affordable housing.

Development solely for affordable housing will be favourably considered.

Where public funding is available to help provide affordable housing, between 25% and 40% of all units will be expected to be affordable.

Where less than one third of the total cost of the development is available through public funding, the developer will be required to provide 25% affordable housing on a site.

If it can be demonstrated that an off-site contribution would better meet a community's housing needs, then an alternative solution will be negotiated with the developer. This may include a cash payment towards the provision of affordable housing at another location. The guide for this financial contribution is currently £25,000 per unit for developments of three or more houses.

Proposals for one and two open market dwellings will also be required to make a contribution towards affordable housing. This will be a cash payment towards the meeting of housing need in the local area and the guide is £1,250 for one house and £2,500 for two houses.

Proposals for off-site contributions will be considered where community needs assessments, or similar assessments, support this as a better way of meeting the housing needs of the community.

 

Planning Committee Chairman, Duncan Bryden, added: "Planning is about community building. High house prices and developer activity in new build and renovations over past years reflect that for many people from across the UK, the Cairngorms National Park is a very desirable place to live and visit. But, we have a responsibility to people who want to work and raise families in Park communities. We must do what we can to enable affordable housing to be provided in the right places.

 

"240 affordable houses have been built in the Park since it was established and until quite recently housing developers and trades benefited from a growing market. For the sake of local employment and the Park economy it is important that they can continue to operate with reasonable profit margins. Equally, as the economic climate has now put the squeeze on access to mortgages and finance, the need for affordable housing in the Park is even more pressing. Developer contributions from 'open market projects' will help towards building essential levels of quality, affordable housing for local people working in important services and helping our communities thrive."

 

The Planning Committee has also approved draft Supplementary Planning Guidance to support the Cairngorms National Park Local Plan on:

 

    * Wildness

    * Carbon Emissions

    * Developer Contributions

 

These will be available for public consultation from 21 March to 29 April 2011 during which copies and details of how to comment will be available on our website or by contacting the CNPA office in Grantown-on-Spey or Ballater.

Co-Op Growth Plans in the Cairngorms National Park

Anonymous sources say that the Co-Op may be considering a significant growth plan in the Cairngorms National Park.  Plans may be afoot to open a larger “supermarket” type facility in Badenoch and Strathspey.  Newtonmore village is scheduled to have significant new housing growth on plots in the south end of the village.  Major housing developments are also planned in neighbouring Kingussie.  It is possible that the Co-Op in Newtonmore and perhaps Kingussie may relocate to one larger premises in Newtonmore.  The dated Waltzing Waters attraction in Newtonmore may be one location they may consider!

Vladimir, the Amur Tiger departs the Kincraig Wild life Park. Cairngorms

On 24th Feb, Vladimir, Amur tiger, was transferred to a new tiger facility at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. This move was recommended by the European breeding programme coordinator for Amur tigers, who is based at London Zoo. At almost 2 years old, Vlad was at the right age to be moved to another zoo as he was becoming more independent and a move at this time mirrors what would happen in the wild. His new companion will be a female from a Bulgarian zoo who will be arriving in Yorkshire shortly. Vlad’s move leaves us with his mother, Sasha, and two sisters, all of whom seem very relaxed about his departure. There is no intention to bring in another potential breeding male just yet as Sasha is past breeding age, and her daughters are not old enough....more info

 

Western Saab Challenge, Scottish Snowcross Championships

Olympians Ben Kilner from Banchory and Aviemore’s Alain Baxter will both be attending the Western Saab Challenge, Scottish Snowcross Championships, which returns to Scotland on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March 2011. The Olympians will be attending the event to support the riders and award prizes at the two day event. It is organised by Aberdeen Snowsports Club and heads to Glenshee Ski Centre for what is sure to be an action packed, adrenaline fuelled event.

 

The event is the only one of its kind to be held in the United Kingdom. At last year’s event nearly 100 competitors from all over Scotland raced head to head in an adrenalin and action packed knockout race along a course consisting of man-made and natural rollers, jumps, kickers and banked turns, all at high speed. Banchory’s Olympic Snowboard Super-pipe finalist in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Ben Kilner said: “Snowcross is a great event and I’m stoked that Aberdeen Snowsports Club have brought this to Glenshee where I learned to ride all those years ago! “It’s really exciting for spectators and competitors alike, bringing together alpine and freestyle skiers and boarders in the same event.”

 

Former Olympic Skier and BBC wintersports pundit Alain Baxter added: “Last year’s Championships were a great addition to the Scottish and British snow sports scene and it is fantastic to see such a prestigious sport coming to the UK. It is also great to see the continued support from Saab.  “I can’t wait to see the action at Glenshee for myself and absolutely delighted to support Aberdeen Snowsports Club with the Western Saab Scottish Snowcross Championships.”

 

For more info on Skiing and Snowboarding the Cairngorms check www.cairngorms-park.com/activities/Winter-Sports/

 

Calling all Bed & Breakfast owners

 

Great opportunity for B&B owners to promote their business and the Cairngorms National Park area: Channel 4 is back to make a second series of Four In a Bed and you could be a part of it. Do you think you have a great B&B? Would you like to show the nation why they should book in? Do you think your business knowledge would make you a good judge of other peoples B&Bs? They would like to talk to passionate and out-going Bed and Breakfast owners for the second series of Channel Four's popular Four In a Bed. They are looking for B&B owners who feel they have something special to offer their customers – and are willing to put their businesses to the test. They're looking for a wide range of B&Bs, but they'll all be run by proud B&B owners. For more information please contact Studio Lambert ASAP on fourinabed@studiolambert.com Please state the name of the B&B that you run, your contact details and tell us why you are so proud of your business.

 

Royal Deeside £100 million golf and leisure development get backing

Plans for a £100 million golf and leisure development on Royal Deeside have secured the backing of local councillors who rejected the recommendations of senior planners that the scheme should be refused.

Members of the Marr area committee of Aberdeenshire Council voted five to three in favour of the development of the major complex, including a luxury hotel, which would be centred on the existing championship course at Inchmarlo Golf Club on the outskirts of Banchory.

Although the plans by developers Frank Burnett Ltd had been backed by both Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland as a key development in boosting tourism in the area, planning officials recommended refusing permission as the application was “significantly contrary” to the wider strategy of the local development plan.

The full council will meet on 10 March to make a final decision.

The Cairngorms Park needs you!

It's all change at the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum as it reaches its sixth year. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is keen to hear from volunteers who can make a positive contribution to outdoor access in the Cairngorms National Park by becoming a member of the Forum.

The Forum plays a vital role in advising the CNPA and others on matters to do with outdoor access, sculpting and shaping future projects to deliver wide ranging benefits to communities and visitors alike whilst respecting the land, the wildlife and the culture of the Cairngorms National Park.

Paul Corrigan, Convener of the Forum said: "The Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum really does mean 'local' with members drawn from all communities of the Park using their experience, knowledge and judgement collectively to formally advise the Park Authority on access matters across the whole National Park. Forum meetings are always stimulating, interesting and enlightening."
The CNPA is inviting applications for six places on the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum. The Forum which comprises 21 members and meets quarterly at various venues through the Park, with the Forum's summer meetings always providing an opportunity to get out and about and learn more about outdoor access in other parts of the Park.

More information can be found on the Park Authorities website including an application form, guidance notes. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone about the Forum please contact Adam Streeter Smith, Outdoor Access Officer on tel: 01479 873535 or email.

Anyone interested in applying should note that the the closing date for applications is Friday the 25 February.

Royal Deeside Golfing Complex

Plans for a £100 million golf, housing and leisure development in Royal Deeside just outside the Cairngorms National Park, including a new cookery school run by celebrity chef Nick Nairn, are set to be rejected. Developers unveiled proposals last August for the massive complex, including a luxury hotel, which would be centred on the existing championship course at Inchmarlo Golf Club on the outskirts of Banchory in Aberdeenshire. Planning officials are recommending that permission for the scheme should be refused. The application is due to be discussed by members of the Marr area committee next Tuesday before a decision at a full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council. The development includes plans for 90 exclusive houses - with a top price of £900,000 - and 35 affordable homes.

 

It ain't your grannies trifle!

FOOD ON FILM 2011 KINGUSSIE 3RD-6TH OF FEB

 

The Annual Cairngorms Food Festival held in and organised by the village of Kingussie and local high school kick off today.

 

A feast of local food, celebrity chefs, short films, documentaries and feature films to make you laugh, make you think and make you hungry!

 

 

Kingussie’s annual winter festival – FOOD ON FILM – brings the big screen to the beautiful Highlands of Scotland in a unique way, to celebrate and explore the world of food. With filmmakers and food producers gathering to share their passions and skills, a Food Hall showcasing the best of Highland produce and a red carpet Film Award – it’s a recipe for a fabulous weekend! 

 

A new film starring Scots actor Dougray Scott and chef Gordon Ramsay will debut at Kingussie's Food on Film Festival.

 

No Ordinary Trifle's director and writer James Hacking will also be among the guests at the annual celebration of movies and cuisine.

 

He will be joined by actor Lee Boardman, who also stars in the film which will not be released at UK cinemas until later this year.

 

The Food on Film Festival will open on Thursday. More info on the Festival and other celebrations of food in the Cairngorms National Park check - http://www.cairngorms-park.com/Cairngorms-Farmers-Market/

 

Time for UK Tourism businesses to get real

Despite encouraging talk in the early days of the new Coalition Government about the importance of Tourism to the economy, the reality is that the Government Spending Review has impacted on most UK tourism support structures including areas such as quality, training, sustainability and research.

 

The Regional Development Agencies who often led on Tourism are going and are being replaced by more localised Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). Now Tourism finds itself pitching along with every other sector for representation and funding and however that pans out area by area, one thing is for certain, at best budgets will be cut.

 

Lower down the chain the recently introduced Destination Management Organisations, which took over from traditional Tourists Boards seem to be also fighting for survival and/or working on much reduced budgets. But is this a such a bad thing for Tourism? Or simply time for businesses in this sector to get real?

 

In reality a well run business, as many are, should already been on top of issues such as quality, training, sustainability, research; they are after all the core issues any service led business must manage in order to be competitive in a free market. In any event much assistance has been on offer in all these areas for those looking for support over the past 10 years!

 

Government intervention should only be required or be warranted where there is a clear market failure, not as a matter of course.  Indeed, under the previous government, a market failure in tourism was addressed in terms of providing affordable online booking and therefore a route to online consumers for small business via the creation of Englandnet.

 

Englandnet is a destination management system which drives the publically funded Visit Britain, Enjoy England websites and many locally council funded DMO websites and enables all graded  accommodation providers to make their property available online and thus compete on equal terms with larger scale businesses. Additional software was also made available for free or highly subsidized rates to accommodation providers that enabled them to push their availability to major online booking sites.

 

Given it now exists and small businesses and sole traders can push their offer out to various booking portals such as lastminute.com, means it really is up to businesses to employ this tool. That they choose not to is now a business choice, not a mandate as many would argue for further intervention or support. Indeed even this intervention has been subject to challenge by some within the tourism industry as being anti-competetive; and viewed as state aid by those businesses who invested their own money and time developing their own systems to reach online consumers. So it seems the Government is damned if it does or damned if it doesn't!

 

Equally, if a business chooses not to invest in quality and training that surely is a business decision. Most in business normally complain about government interference, however tourism has become rather dependent on government intervention, some would say too dependent. As such well run business are seemingly at a disadvantage as market forces are being skewed the other way and intervention and state aid is enabling less well run ones to keep going and where intervention has been well meant such as with online booking it has been met by both apathy and anger in many quarters. For those that believe in a free market and business self-determination, should the government be propping up failing businesses or leaving the market to decide which ones offer value for money? Especially when some within the industry challenge such interventions; this alone must lead many who look after such interventions to question their merit!

 

So the cuts may be a blessing in disguise!

 

If nothing else it will show which aspects of the tourism services traditionally offered by LA's are truly valued by local businesses.

 

Tourist Information Centres are an interesting point in case as they seem to divide trade opinion and go to the heart of the problem with public funding. There are many well supported private TIC's up and down the country that manage to survive through trade subs and smart retailing, no doubt established because of an identified need by local businesses to enhance the visitor experience. However and interestingly, in those areas where there have been publically funded TICs, which are now under threat of closure because of budget cuts, it seems they are less valued. Whilst many in those areas are up in arms about the loss of such a 'vital service' and actively lobby to keep them publically funded; there is little actual appetite from local businesses to take on the overheads to retain the service.

 

Perhaps one reason is those TIC’s are not cost effective due to never having to trade on commercial lines.

 

It seems that where a service has been funded, rather than developed through an identified local need, they have less value to businesses and public funding may actually inhibit co-operative local working.

 

So perhaps the cuts will mean that more tourism businesses work together, identify real needs, see each other as potential allies rather than competitors and take charge of their destinations future, building it from the bottom up together.

 

By David Rutherford

 

Cairngorms Winter Snow Sports Holiday Give Away

One lucky winner will get....

3 night stay at Crubenbeg 4Star Luxury
£75 of Vouchers for ExtremePie.com
Free Snowboard or Ski Hire for 3 days, Supplied by Active Outdoor Pursuits
Days Ski / Board Pass at Glenshee
Days Ski / Board Pass at Lecht
Days Ski / Board Pass at CairnGorm
Girl and Mens Nixon Watch
I Love Snowboarding Inc Gear
I Love Cairngorms Park Tee shirt
Cairngorms Brewery Tee-shirt
686 Tool Belt & Quicksilver Belt

and the famous...
Cairngorms-Park.com Goodie Bag

Prize Fund over £750.00 !

 www.cairngorms-park.com/competition/

Cairngorms National Park win Euro funding

Kingussie Community Development Company has been awarded £93,765 for a micro hydro scheme.Glen Tanar Charitable Trust, based near Aboyne, has received £44,707 towards the cost of refurbishing the Braeloine Centre on the Glen Tanar Estate.
The park authority has been granted £58,300 for a new scheme aimed at increasing consumption of local food.
The authority has also been awarded £160,000 which will be used to offer support to young people through an existing training project.
Other community projects across Britain's largest national park have also benefited from the programme.
Newtonmore Camanachd Association has been granted £25,020 to research the history and culture of shinty in Badenoch.
A project run by Community Learning and Development and Marr Youth Forum will use £16,416 to provide activities for young people to help them avoid anti-social behaviour.
Abernethy Golf Club has secured £7,507 to help create an area where young golfers can learn and practice golf before they feel confident enough to go on the golf course.
A new indoor climbing wall is to be built at Nethy Bridge after the Abernethy Trust has received £3,750.
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team has been awarded £8,250.

Glencoe's avalanche transceiver training park opens on Saturday.

An area of a ski centre is to be made available for training in the use of a device designed to help find people caught in a snow slide.

Glencoe's avalanche transceiver training park opens on Saturday.

The resort said the move followed an increase in the numbers of climbers, skiers and snowboarders choosing to wear the devices.

The new park has nine buried transmitters to help users practise in how to operate the transceivers.

Most people buying the equipment are believed to be climbers and snow sports enthusiasts who venture into remoter parts of Scotland's hills to climb or ski.

Scotland's skiing season started early this winter. Glencoe Mountain opened before Christmas for the first time in 10 years.

For all your winter sport info and accommodation...read more

Girls weekend in Aviemore, Cairngorms Natinal Park

Women mountaineers are invited to a social weekend in the New Year in a get together with others with a passion for the hills.

The event, organised by Rosie Goolden of Chicks Unleashed, will also include lectures and a series of clinics on winter navigation, understanding snow, and competence and confidence in using crampons and ice axe.

The social meet, at the Badaguish Lodges near Glenmore, Aviemore, takes place from 7 to 10 January and there are still places available, according to Ms Goolden, a mountain instructor.

She said: “The aim of the social meet is just that: to have a great social, enabling networking of women who share a passion for the mountains. It also helps them to get their skills up to scratch ready for the season ahead.

“In the past it’s proved an excellent way of women meeting up and going on to do many adventures together.”

The meet is being run on a non-profit basis and the cost of £62 includes accommodation at the lodge on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

A Granite welcome to new parts of the Cairngorms-Park.

The first granite markers showing that Highland Perthshire and Glenshee are now indeed part of the UK's largest National Park are in place.

Four granite boulders displaying the 'osprey' image have been installed on smaller roads into the Cairngorms National Park in Perthshire including on the B8079 road at the National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre at Killiecrankie -  more than 2,000 cars pass this spot per day during the summer. Work is well underway to install the large granite markers on the A9 and on the A93 but this work has been delayed due to the very festive weather conditions! Signage at Blair Atholl railway station should be in place early in the New Year.

To find out more about Glenshee, Killiecrankie, Bruar, Calvine, Struan and Blair Atholl villages in Highland Perthshire check the Cairngorms-Park.com villages info page.

The East Highland Way - Fort William to Aviemore

The East Highland Way is a new long distance walk that connects Fort William, outdoor capital of the UK, with the ski and mountain resort of Aviemore. In doing so, it also connects Scotland's existing long distance walks: the West Highland Way & Great Glen Way, to the Speyside Way in the north east. The contrast in natural habitats along the route imbues the East Highland Way with a distinctive character. The journey passes seamlessly through enchanting broadleaf forests, loch-side trails and quiet mountain wilderness. It skirts unspoilt marshlands and also explores the last remnants of the ancient Caledonian forests of Inshriach. The route has been optimised to engage with accommodation wherever possible, making it more accessible for walkers of all abilities.

For more info check -

www.easthighlandway.com

For Accommodation on route in the Cairngorms Park check -

www.Cairngorms-Park.com

Last Minute - Christmas Breaks and Scottish Snow Sports Getaways, Save £££.

Last Minute - Christmas Breaks and Snow Sports Getaways, Save £££.

 

Highland Holiday Cottages www.HighlandHolidayCottages.com

 

Luxury 4 Star Cottages, voted No1 on Trip Advisor for Specialist Accommodation in the Cairngorms National Park.

 

All have wood burning stoves, Free WIFI, Satellite TV / DVD, Christmas Trees...real snow!

 

·         Ash Cottage (1 bedroom) Christmas Week – 21^st-28^th  December was £500 now only £400.

·         Birch Cottage (1 bedroom) Christmas Week – 21^st-28^th  December was £500 now £400.

·         Elm Cottage (2 bedroom) Christmas Week – 22^nd-29^th December was £550 now only £500

·         Fernlea Luxury Cottage (4 bedrooms, under floor heating) Christmas Week. – 21^st-28^th was £1150 now only £850

 

Book now to save £££ on your Scottish Ski or Festive Winter Break.

 

Here at Highland Holiday Cottages near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, we offer amazing 4-star luxury holiday cottages. We are only fifteen minutes drive to Aviemore and we have all the luxuries that you would expect on your holiday in the Highlands. We are pet friendly, self catering accommodation located in the Cairngorms National Park, in the Scottish Highlands. Being only fifteen minutes from Aviemore you can visit the ski slopes, go walking in the mountains, of the Cairngorms National Park or simply put your feet up in front or the wood burning stove in your cottage. The Aviemore area has attractions aplenty for all different types of holidays. We are a small family owned business providing luxury four star accommodation and facilities. The romantic Scottish Cairngorms are the perfect destination for a self catering holiday in the Aviemore area. Aviemore Holiday Cottages, self catering holiday cottage set amongst some of the most spectacular Cairngorms mountains of Aviemore, Scotland,  Highland Holiday Cottages are for you.

Highland Wild Life Park

 

 

Credit: Aaron Sneddon                            Walker's Highland Winter The Highland Wildlife Park's newest resident, Walker the polar bear, enjoyed his first taste of a Scottish winter this week. Our playful polar bear has been spotted tearing around his enclosure, and rolling around in the snow. As Walker is still just a young bear he is extremely energetic and is enjoying exploring his new wintry surroundings. Since arriving at the Highland Wildlife Park at the start of November, Walker has settled in well and he is now sharing the large polar bear enclosure with Mercedes. Initial introductions seemed to go relatively smoothly although Mercedes appears to be a little irritated by the youngster's boisterous nature.

 

I don't Ski, I don't Board I don't like Snow!...

I don’t Ski, I don’t Board I don’t like Snow!...what to do in the Cairngorms Park if you like the warmth !

 

While you are stuck in the valley, your finds or kids are up on one of the three ski resorts, with nothing to do, why not take the opportunity to visit one of the many attractions in the Cairngorms Park.

 

Cinema - Since the closure of the cinema at the Old Aviemore Centre, movie-goers from the Cairngorms have had to head to Inverness to see the biggest blockbusters. That's now changed, with the latest films - including those in 3D - screened at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort. The new facility has a 650-seat auditorium where you can enjoy popcorn, hot dogs, confectionery and pick n' mix.

 

Balmoral Castle Tour - The Balmoral Estate is the Scottish home of the Royal Family. The magnificent castle, Queen Victoria's 'Dear paradise in the Highlands', lies in the shadow of Lochnagar, an area rich in history. It is said that Macbeth was defeated by Duncan Canmore on Royal Deeside. Canmore initiated the Highland Games, which have now evolved into the world-famous Braemar Gathering. Or try the Blair Atholl castle in the south of the Cairngorms National Park. The Blair Atholl castle is open all year round.

 

Steam Railway - Travel in style through Monarch-of-the-Glen country on the original Highland Railway  for the 20-mile round trip from Aviemore and Boat of Garten to 'Glenbogle Station' in Broomhill. For something that little bit special, book the Strathspey Highlander and dine as the sun dips behind the mountains.

 

Pubs and Bars - Hanging around in the bar all day drinking was once the preserve of the lucky few skiers and boarders who had managed to break a leg early in the week, but  if you don’t like snow the towns and villages dotting the Cairngorms National Park offer the non snow lover a great selection of pubs, bars and clubs, from Blair Atholl, north to the nightlife hub in Aviemore, over to Grantown-on-Spey, Braemar and beyond.

 

 

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