Place policies

Image of motorcyclist on Kingussie High Street. Photo by Liam Anderstrem.

There have been significant changes in the policy landscape since the last Partnership Plan was published in 2017. A climate emergency and nature crisis have been declared. The UK has left the European Union and its policy framework, and the Covid-19 pandemic – and our collective need to recover from its impacts – is at the forefront of policy discussion. There is also a deepening cost-of-living crisis and a desire to move to an economy that works for everyone, with the wellbeing of our citizens at its heart.

National policy framework

As a whole, this Partnership Plan is guided by Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework and by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The documents listed on the page opposite are the key national policy documents that underpin the approach taken in this plan. 

The Cairngorms National Park also has a significant role to play in delivering the policy ambitions of Scottish Government. This is focused on Scotland being a place to innovate, trial new ways of thinking and show ambition to tackle the key challenges of our time. The National Park has done this in the past on issues like windfarm or hilltrack policy, on increasing the percentage of affordable housing up to 45% in certain villages and towns, and pursuing ambitious projects like Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030. This National Park Partnership Plan looks to promote the National Park as a place to trial solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing Scotland as a whole.

Place policies 2022 - 2027

Enable sustainable patterns of settlement development, infrastructure and communications while maintaining the integrity of designated sites by:

  1. Consolidating the role of the strategic settlements identified in the current and future Local Development Plans as the most sustainable places for future growth and the focus for housing land supply.
  2. Providing any additional flexibility in future land supply for housing at small sites around a wider range of settlements.
  3. Supporting sensitively-designed improvements to the A9 and other trunk roads and the main railway line as an integral part of enhancing the connectivity of the Highlands.
  4. Planning and improving integrated and sustainable local transport networks that allow for safe off-road travel and link with public transport.
  5. Planning and improving integrated public transport that meets the needs of residents and visitors to the National Park.
  6. Planning and supporting improvements to the information technology network.
  7. Planning and supporting improvements to the mobile communications network that improve access to next generation technology and minimise the need for visually-intrusive infrastructure.

Support the development of a low carbon, circular economy, with a particular focus on:

  1. Increasing renewable electricity and heat generation, especially biomass, hydro, solar, small-scale wind turbines and heat exchange pumps that are compatible with conserving the special qualities of the National Park and maintain the integrity of designated sites. Large-scale wind turbines are not compatible with the landscape character or special landscape qualities of the National Park. They are inappropriate within the National Park or in areas outside the National Park where they adversely affect its landscape character or special landscape qualities.
  2. Supporting businesses and communities to use less energy, reduce emissions, improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, generate low impact renewable energy, reduce, reuse and recycle resources, and plan for a changing climate.
  3. Maximising the benefits to communities through direct use of locally-generated energy or, where sold to the grid, reinvesting income to support community development.
  4. Promoting high standards of sustainable design and efficient use of energy and materials in construction.
  5. Electrifying public transport and increasing cycle-carrying capacity on trains, buses and in taxis.
  6. Installing electric car and bike-charging facilities at visitor hubs when investing in upgrades or refurbishment, where electricity supplies allow it.

Enhance the design and sense of place in new development and existing settlements, in particular:

  1. Enabling new development which contributes positively to the sense of place.
  2. Promoting a high standard of sustainable design, energy efficiency, sustainably-sourced materials and construction in new development.
  3. Supporting the retention and enhancement of local character.
  4. Facilitating the rehabilitation of redundant rural buildings and recycling of resources.
  5. Ensuring road upgrades and improvements respond to local landscape character.
  6. Promoting active travel and public transport provision and reducing the reliance on private motor vehicles.

Develop plans to help manage visitor pressure in key areas, including:

  1. Ensuring high-quality facilities and infrastructure are designed to manage the effects of visitor pressures on the natural heritage and communities.
  2. Ensuring that the upgrading or refurbishment of visitor hubs improves accessibility for all potential users and incorporates disabled access toilets and Changing Places facilities where possible.
  3. Enhancing the provision of ranger services to deliver a warm visitor welcome and promote responsible access.
  4. Reducing fire risk by limiting or excluding barbecues and open fires in key areas of the National Park, such as in areas of woodland and peatland.
  5. Reducing impacts on sensitive habitats.
  6. Ensuring appropriate transport management to facilitate and enhance the visitor experience.

Promote sustainable tourism management, with a particular focus on:

  1. Taking a coordinated approach to responsible tourism and management of the Cairngorms National Park as a visitor destination.
  2. Delivering a visitor / customer experience that spans organisational boundaries.
  3. Providing high-quality, coordinated information, setting individual visitor experiences in the context of the wider National Park.
  4. Building on and promoting the National Park brand and the promise it delivers.

Conserve and enhance the cultural heritage that helps to create the sense of place and identity of communities within the National Park by:

  1. Protecting archaeological sites and their settings and promoting understanding of their significance.
  2. Ensuring appropriate advice and investigation for archaeology is used to inform proposals for land use change.
  3. Protecting and enhancing the built heritage and designed landscapes.
  4. Promoting opportunities to enjoy and celebrate the cultural heritage of the National Park, including the arts, sports, natural history and community heritage.