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Backing given to affordable homes


By Tom Ramage

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Crannich Park Development, Crannich Park, New Homes, Tulloch Homes
Crannich Park Development, Crannich Park, New Homes, Tulloch Homes

TWO communities in Badenoch and Strathspey are to get new affordable homes.

Members of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (CNPA) planning committee meeting agreed applications for Carrbridge and Kingussie for developments comprising 46 new dwellings.

An application by Inverness-based Tulloch Homes Ltd for 23 houses and associated infrastructure opposite the Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge and Davall Developments Ltd's for 23 affordable homes on the north-east edge of Kingussie were both given the go ahead.

At their meeting in Boat of Garten Community Hall last week, the committee approved both schemes subject to a raft of conditions.

The Carrbridge development consists of 10 new affordable homes – comprising social rented housing provided by Highland Council and the Highland Housing Alliance – and 13 starter homes aimed at first-time buyers.

CNPA planning officer Katherine Donnachie told committee members: "This is affordable housing on a site designated for development and the principle fully complies with local development plan policies."

The housing development in Kingussie is for 100 per cent affordable units and will be a mix of rental, to buy and shared equity properties and lies within a much larger site that already has planning permission for housing.

The affordable element is made up of one, two and three-bedroom properties and a single four-bedroom house.

The proposals will result in a small diversion to the existing core path which runs through the site.

Planning officer Emma Wilson explained: "This proposal for 100 per cent affordable housing is sympathetically designed to provide long-term and adaptable affordable housing to meet current and future needs in one of the national park's strategic settlements."

Committee convener Eleanor Mackintosh said: "The applications before us are for well-designed affordable housing in places where it is needed.

"I fully support both applications and look forward to seeing the developments built and houses occupied."

The go-ahead at Kingussie came as part of long running plans stretching 14 years by Davall Developments whose owners attended the meeting.

Allan Munro told the Strathy: "Kingussie is dying on its feet and it's desperately in need of new and affordable homes. This is the start of the recovery."

His business partner, David Cameron, agreed that the Badenoch capital simply could not afford to wait any longer and the pressure was now telling.

CNPA local board member Dave Fallows was unequivocal in his backing for the scheme. However, Highland Council's flood risk management team's objections have not been resolved.

Ms Wilson reported that after the submission of further information on the issues from the developers, the flood team maintain their objection.

She said: "The proposed discharge point for the draining system is a watercourse on the opposite side of the A86.

"It has been demonstrated that the channel can accommodate the expected flows, [but] the route of this feature is unclear.

"This will then discharge into a manhole, however, there is no information of whether the applicants have permission to discharge into this and whether it can accommodate additional flows.

"They also have concerns regarding the SUDS infrastructure, surface water treatment and maintenance access to the basin."

Objectors living at Craig an Darach on High Street have objected fearing security issues and devaluing of their property.

But community council secretary Jenny Dunn said that the watchdog supported the plan.

She reminded the board: "The capital of Badenoch is in serious danger of being left behind, and becoming the ghost town which many fear."

The application was approved subject to conditions relating to tree planting, visibility splays, access, car parking, core path protection and drainage.

The homes by Davall Developments Ltd are earmarked for land 115 metres north-east of Craig an Darach on the High Street. The site comprises fields covering around 1.36 hectares.


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