Key issue: The Cairngorms National Park can only succeed with the same planning arrangements that have been provided for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Before the Cairngorms National Park Designation Order is passed by the Scottish Parliament it is vital to consider whether the proposals reflect the best options available to serve the interests of the Scottish people. The following clarifications have been provided to the NEMT by experts in planning and dispel the reckless misinformation that has been given on this vital issue.
1. Claims that the issues in the Cairngorms are different to those in Loch
Lomond and the Trossachs are unfounded:
· Land management issues are not outwith the control of the planning
system. In fact, issues such as bulldozed tracks and forestry may be controlled
by ordinary planning applications.
· The number of development control applications is not negligible and
is of particular importance where applications have been received for new homes
in areas such as Nethy Bridge.
2. The fact that the Park Authority will not have the lead role in implementing
planning policy is the most serious flaw in the Designation Order. Under
current planning law, all development control decisions are taken in accordance
with the statutory document in place, i.e. the Structure Plan. Otherwise:
· Planning decisions will be made which are not compliant with the National
Park objectives.
· The current mosaic of separate structure and local plans will render
a Park-wide Local Plan, or Plans, ineffective, since this would legally have
to be driven by existing Structure Plans
This table shows how long it would be until the proper procedures are in place:
| Highland | Moray | Aberdeenshire | Angus | (Perth & Kinross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adopted - 1998 Ends - 2017 | Adopted - 1999 Ends - 2014 | Adopted - 2001 Ends - 2016 | Adopted - 2002 Ends - 2016 | Expected - 2003 Ends - 2018 |
3. The myth that the National Park Authority would get bogged down with
insignificant planning applications should be dispelled immediately, since
it is the case that:
· A simple reversal of the proposals could achieve an efficient mechanism
for determining planning applications not significantly affecting the National
Park: that is, that the NPA, with full planning powers, is furnished with the
ability to delegate certain amounts of casework to Local Authority planning
officers for determination.
· This determination would be driven by strategic plans (i.e. Park Plan)
4. Finally, experience from English and Welsh National Parks has shown that shared planning powers do not work. The 1995 Environment Act ensured that all National Parks in England and Wales have full planning powers. Furthermore, the Executive was prepared to implement this best practice for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The Cairngorms must not be any different.
In order to furnish the National Park Authority with the ability to implement all the aims for Scottish National Parks as set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, it is imperative that MSPs ensure that the Executive confer full planning powers on the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
North East Mountain Trust, Aberdeen, 10th December 2002