HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) has submitted a planning application for demolition of the Coire na Ciste base building (including former Cafe, Ciste Ticket Office and Toilets), retaining an enclosure for a Hydro Electric transformer.
The Application has been called in by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Full details are available on the CNPA
e-planning website and public comments can also be made online.
CNPA ref: 2013/0398/DET
Council ref: 13/04588/FUL
Applicant: Highlands And Islands Enterprise
Development location: Cairngorm Mountain, Glenmore, Aviemore PH22 1RB
Proposal:
Reconfiguration of existing building to strip back to transformer
enclosure area only. Recladding and re-roofing of enclosure
Application type: Detailed Planning Permission
Planning History:
There have been numerous previous planning applications in this
area, some of which were called in and determined by the CNPA.
Background Analysis:
Call in decision: CALLED IN
A decision is required by Sat 8th Feb 2014. Public comments can be made through the CNPA e-planning site at: [
www.eplanningcnpa.co.uk] .
We were told that the mountain bike plans for the Ciste were on hold because of the CML tendering process. Yet before public completion of this process and anouncement of the new operator (if there is to be one), HIE is prejudicing any future use a new operator may wish to make of the facilities in Coire na Ciste.
I will be objecting to this application on the basis that the lack of basic facilities in Coire na Ciste is unacceptable and that far from being demolished there is an urgent need to reinstate at least toilet provision within this building. Also because it seriously undermines any potential future provision of uplift from the Coire na Ciste carpark.
Concurrently CML has submitted a separate planning application for the construction of a stone 'Grouse Butt' in the Coire na Ciste carpark to provide a viewing location for a Black Grouse lek and to shelter interpretative information. It will be used also as part of ranger guided walks around the lower Ciste by CML and the RSPB.
The provision of a new visitor feature to attract more users into Coire na Ciste is not compatible with lack of any basic visitor facilities and I will be commenting on this planning application such that it should be conditional on the provision of toilet facilities in Coire na Ciste.