A conservation group in Badenoch and Strathspey has criticised the Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA) for approving an application for 23 new houses to be built in Carrbridge.
The plans are for 10 local authority homes and 13 “starter” homes aimed at first time buyers.
The site is at the entrance to Carrbridge, opposite the Landmark Forest Adventure Park and in an area close to known capercaillie territory.
The landscape is also known to host otters, has a reputation for possible wild cat sightings, contains bog habitat with a population of rare coral root orchid, and has ancient woodland with mature Scots pine and wood ants.
Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG) says the authority has approved the development on the basis of “inadequate and misleading information”.
BSCG spokesman Gus Jones said: “This is a particularly rich, biodiverse site. It is surrounded by priority habitats and ancient woodland and these support breeding habitat for capercaillie.
“These are special features of the National Park, many of which we have international responsibility for.
“The proposals will inevitably compromise both the site and the surroundings, directly and indirectly.”
The group also criticised the CNPA’s choice of area proposed for mitigation measures in its habitat management plan.
Mr Jones said: “It is itself composed of high quality priority habitats. It is irrational to imagine that these can be enhanced or can provide compensatory habitat for the losses.
“We are also concerned that the board is being asked to accept a mitigation plan that provides a line on the map and almost no other specific information. The board is being asked to determine the development when there are no mitigation proposals set out.”
BSCG also said they are disappointed that a suggestion by CNPA board member, Green Highland councillor Pippa Hadley, to provide a leaflet about local nature to new householders was dismissed out of hand.
Mr Jones said: “We are disappointed that the park’s head planner took such a negative stance on the provision of information to new residents.”
CNPA convener, Peter Argyle, said: “We gave long, careful consideration to this application at the planning committee.
“Members listened to the presentation by the BSCG as well as taking into account all of the representations and consultation responses.
“The site is allocated for housing in the local plan and the proposal brought forward a well designed and innovative approach to affordable housing in Carrbridge.
“As with all such applications in the National Park, there is a balance between conservation and the provision of homes. The shortage of genuinely affordable homes is a major issue in the Cairngorms.
“In this instance the evidence and planning policies clearly supported approval and I am delighted that the way is now open for this development to proceed.”
