Single lane track verged by scots pine and heather

Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable

This priority for action will address the lack of access to affordable and good quality housing which has been identified by many communities as a key issue facing the Cairngorms National Park. It will help to deliver affordable housing that will create and maintain sustainable communities and will be managed to ensure high environmental and sustainability standards, as well as conserve and enhance the areas special qualities. The Cairngorms National Park Local Plan will set out detailed planning policies to guide development in the Park over the coming years and all planning applications within the Park will need to relate to the Local Plan.

Outcomes for 2012 – what does this priority for action seek to achieve in five years?

  1. There will be a reduction in the gap between housing need and supply in the Park to meet community needs.
  2. There will be a reduction in the number of businesses identifying housing as a barrier to staff recruitment and retention.
  3. There will be more good quality private rented sector accommodation available at affordable rents to meet local need.
  4. New housing will be of a more sustainable design.

The Cairngorms National Park Plan Progress Report and the Park Plan four-monthly updates update how this priority for action is progressing and what actions have been achieved.

There are four Local Authority areas in the Park. For advice and information on their housing policy please see their relevant website:

Housing Associations operating in the Cairngorms National Park area: