How It Works

Please note: The CNPA planning committee adopted revised Standing Orders on 4 February 2011. New timescales have been introduced for the submission of written representations and requests to make oral representations on planning applications that will be determined by the CNPA. These now have to be submitted within 42 days from a planning application being called-in for determination by the CNPA. If you require further help, please contact the CNPA planning office - see details at the bottom of the page.

New Householder Permitted Development Rights

On 6 February 2012, the Scottish Government made changes to the rules on whether alterations and extentions to houses and flats need planning permission. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2011 sets out the new regulations. The aims of the legislation is to remove minor developments from planning control, giving householders more freedom to develop their properties. Find out more about the changes in the Scottish Government's training presentation.

CNPA planning staff are happy to help if you have any queries, however we recommend that you contact your Local Authority Planning Officer who will provide the definitive answer on what requires planning permission. The Highland Council have published an advice page on their website.

Planning Service Improvement Plan 2010-2011

This Planning Service Improvement Plan, set out by the CNPA, identifies areas for planning service improvement and looks at how best they can be tackled.

Planning Service Workshops: In March 2011, the CNPA held four planning service workshops facilitated by Planning Aid Scotland - an independent national organisation that helps people to engage in the planning process. The purpose was to get feedback from users of our planning service to help make it better. Planning Aid Scotland have now completed a Planning Service Workshop Summary Report. We will be using this to contribute to the next Service Improvement Plan. We intend to hold similar workshops each year, but we welcome feedback, comment and suggestions on all aspects of our planning service at any time.

Planning Enforcement Charter and Register

Planning permission is required for most development that takes place in the Park. However, sometimes work can be carried out without permission or fails to keep to the permission granted. The CNPA, in its role as the planning authority, has powers to enforce planning controls in these cases. The Planning Enforcement Charter explains how the enforcement process works and the role of the CNPA, and sets out our service standards.

The Planning Enforcement Register lists addresses where there has been a breach of planning control, and outlines the problem, type of notice served and date issued. The Register is updated whenever a new notice is issued.

Planning Policies

The Cairngorms National Park Local Plan is helping to deliver the Cairngorms National Park Plan, which provides an overarching management strategy for the National Park.

The Cairngorms National Park Local Plan and a range of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG), covers the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland and Moray parts of the Park only. The SPG sets out detailed advice to help you meet the requirements of the policies in the Cairngorms National Park Local Plan.

The Cairngorms National Park Local Plan and SPG do not cover the Perth & Kinross area of the Park. The Perth & Kinross Highland Area Local Plan, or the Perth & Kinross Eastern Area Local Plan, and any associated SPG, apply. Please see www.pkc.gov.uk for further information.

Work is currently underway on a new Local Development Plan which will cover the whole of the extended Park. Until that is completed, in 2013, the existing arrangements set out above will apply.

If you wish to submit or comment on a planning application, it is recommended that you read the relevant Local Plan, SPG and parts of the Cairngorms National Park Plan.

Planning Applications

All planning applications submitted within the Cairngorms National Park must comply with the Cairngorms National Park Plan, relevant Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance (see Planning policies above for details).

Planning applications should be submitted to the relevant local authority in the normal manner. The local authority ensures that all of the necessary information is supplied and registers receipt of the application. The CNPA is informed by the local authority and has 21 days to decide whether to call-in the application. Only applications which raise a planning issue of general significance to the aims of the Park are called-in.

Due to Electorinic Call-In process The Planning Committee now meets every four weeks to determine applications.

Contacts

If you plan to submit a planning application to your local authority and would like more information on the Park Authority's role, and to discuss the likelihood of an application being called-in, please contact our Planning Team.

Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Office
Albert Memorial Hall
Station Square
Ballater
AB35 5QB
Tel: 013397 53601
Fax: 013397 55334
Email: planning@cairngorms.co.uk