Cairngorm Campaign

Urgent Appeal

 

The Cairngorm Campaign in conjunction with the Scottish Campaign for National Parks and the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group has lodged an Appeal in the Court of Session against the housing policies of the Cairngorm National Park Authority.  These policies have allowed a number of housing developments within the Park area culminating in a 1,500 house development at An Camus Mor on the east bank of the River Spey opposite Aviemore.   This latter development is a mere 10 km from the top of Cairn Gorm!  Whatever else national parks may be for, it is not to provide locations for luxury housing developments which are entirely unsuitable for local needs or numbers.

The three organisations which are party to the Appeal are confirmed in their opinions by the findings of two Scottish Government Reporters commenting on the CNPA’s policies after a public inquiry into the Local Plan: “the housing land requirement is overly generous in any context, let alone that set by the aims of the National Park” and “we conclude that the rationale for this calculation of the housing requirement is unconvincing”.  The CNPA has chosen to ignore these findings.

The three organisations believe that the CNPA must abide by its primary aim, “to safeguard natural and cultural heritage” and not succumb to developer-led schemes involving housing or other encroachments on the integrity of the Cairngorms.

All three organisations are registered charities with very modest funds.   They believe, however, many other individuals and organisations will be sympathetic to their goal of halting inappropriate developments.  The estimated legal costs are in the region of £50,000 and the case will be heard in January 2012.   Donations, no matter how modest, will be most welcome for what is test case for the future of Scottish National Parks.  Donations may be made online to JustGiving http://www.justgiving.com type Cairngorms Campaign in the “donate to charity” box.   Alternatively go to http://www.bscg.org.uk and click the “donate” button.   A form to be sent off with cheques, incorporated in the Appeal Letter, can be downloaded here.