A controversial development of 12 affordable homes in the Cairngorm National Park has been given the green light.
Environmentalists believe it will have a huge impact on the local wildland, but the park authority has approved the development.
Gus Jones, convener of Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group, said: “We are disappointed that the Park Authority did not act on constructive suggestions put to them, for example to increase the distance between the development footprint and especially sensitive natural heritage.
“This could have delivered a better outcome for the exceptional natural heritage of the area without altering the nature of the development.”
He added: “Much of the willow is growing in wet conditions with seasonally extensive standing water, in this wet, riparian woodland.
“Recent observations have established that the willows support a significant population of the Scarlet Splash fungus (Cytidia salicina).
“This species was identified in the ‘short list’ as in need of urgent and focused conservation action in the CNPA’s Cairngorms Nature Action Plan 2013-2018.”
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) planning committee approved the development – covered by two planning applications – on open ground opposite the BSW Timber sawmill.
The development is a joint proposal by the sawmill owners and the local estate and also involves the demolition of an existing property on the site to make way for the project.
Boat of Garten is a community in the National Park where there is a significant need for affordable housing. Despite the application being out with the settlement boundary, policies in the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan support developments in locations such as these, where 100 per cent affordable housing is being delivered.
Eleanor Mackintosh, the CNPA planning committee convener, said: “I think this is an excellent proposal and I welcome the provision of affordable housing in a location where it will help meet local need.
“I am keen that residents can access Boat of Garten safely without the need for a car so I look forward to seeing proposals in the near future for a path linking the development with the village.”
An application for three separate blocks of flats comprising 27 homes with associated parking and access on Grampian Road in Aviemore was also approved today.
“A previous application for a similar development on this site had been turned down due the height of the buildings but members agreed that this new application addressed earlier concerns and welcomed the opportunity to have a neglected site at the entrance to Aviemore brought back into use.
Three new properties – part of an ongoing development at Dunlicht Court in Grantown-on-Spey – were also approved. A proposed forestry building in woodland on the outskirts of Carr-Bridge was refused permission.
The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003.
It is the UK’s largest national park at 4,528sq km. The Park has four aims: to conserve and enhance the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
