Cairngorms National Park Authority
Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wildness

This document will be of particular interest to NEMT members as it introduces the concept of Zoning into the Park’s planning system. Concerns have been expressed that the broad principle of zoning risks areas given low value being seen as ripe for development without restriction. However there are many positives in this Guidance. In particular, the document stresses that planning proposals must consider the impact of developments in ‘lower bands’ on the feel of wildness in ‘higher bands’, particularly in relation to visual intrusion.

The Park is divided into 3 bands based on a mapping exercise:

• Band A covers ‘high quality wildness areas’ where there is a presumption against any developments, including hill tracks. An emphasis is placed on the removal of redundant features and on land restoration.
• Band B covers areas with ‘a largely natural feel with infrequent man-made features’. It is suggested that any developments in this band be both discreet and give regard to their impact on the wildness qualities of adjoining Band A land.
• Band C includes ‘agricultural land, rough grazing and woodlands’, as well as the transport corridors and settlements.

There are anomalies in the mapping (e.g. the entrance to Coire Fee is given the same banding as the centre of Aviemore) and the colour shading on the map seems a little imprecise.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating and, whilst the guidance states that all planning applications within the Park must comply with Supplementary Planning Guidance, NEMT will be asking representatives of the Park how they intended to ensure that this happens in practice and that the guidance is taken seriously.

The guidance is available at: http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/park-authority/planning/local-plan

George Allan, Deputy Chairman

Forestry Commission Woodland Expansion Advisory Group

Richard Lochhead MSP and Cabinet Secretary has set up an 18-strong group of farmers, foresters, conservation and community and land experts, chaired by Andrew Barbour to determine how best the expansion of Scotland’s woodlands can be taken forward. Further details are on www.forestry.gov.uk/weag and views are sought, by email, weag@forestry.gsi.qov.uk, with a deadline of 6th January 2012. [The Final report and the Cabinet Secretary's response are on the web]

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