Dozens of locals gathered yesterday to oppose the construction of 47 new homes in Carrbridge.
A site visit to the proposed development on Carr Road took place yesterday morning where residents made their feelings obvious through colourful demonstration banners opposing the development.
Members of the Cairngorm National Park Authority’s (CNPA) planning committee deferred the development for further information at their meeting in Boat of Garten yesterday.
The proposal on the two-hectare site would deliver 47 dwelling houses consisting of a mix of flats, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, of which 11 were earmarked to be affordable homes.
Eighteen letters of concern were received by the CNPA in relation to the application with concerns raised over road safety, the impacts on existing infrastructure, the ecological interest of the area and the scale of the development not being in keeping with the area.
The decision to defer the application, which had been recommended for approval, was hailed yesterday by a local conservation group as a minor victory.
Gus Jones of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG), who argue that the development is against the aims of the national park, said: “We are disappointed the application was not thrown out but we are heartened that the community has spoken up for their interest.”
Meanwhile, a housing development of 18 affordable properties for the village of Dulnain Bridge was given the go-ahead.
CNPA planning committee Convener Eleanor Mackintosh said: “I always welcome applications for housing developments that deliver affordable housing in communities that need it and it will be good to see the site at Dulnain Bridge developed in due course.”
