BRIEFING NOTE ON PROPOSED CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY
Communities Split by Proposed Boundary
Concerns have been raised that the proposed boundary splits a number of communities. Examples of such situations are said to include Cromdale, Carrbridge, Grantown, Dulnain Bridge, Dinnet and the Lecht Ski area. The boundaries proposed sought to reflect a combination of suitable natural features, marked tracks and roadways. They are, of course, subject to consultation and where appropriate, will be reviewed to reflect representations submitted and discrepancies uncovered in the course of a physical inspection of the proposed boundary line. There is thus the prospect of some change being made to resolve anomalies.
Exclusions from the Proposed Park Area
Explanation has also been requested with regard to the reasoning behind Ministers' proposals to exclude a number of areas from the Park. The principles Ministers adopted are set out in their general briefing note. In general Ministers sought to have a Park with a clear focus and identity and one where the overall size of the area was commensurate with effective and efficient administration; and saw the core area as set out in Option A with the addition of those areas described as having a very strong case for inclusion, as being the ideal area. Any case for significant extension of this area would have to be very convincingly argued. With regard to the specific areas of concern identified in the list of excluded areas the following comments are offered.
The Angus Glens comprise sub units 11-14 in the SNH report. In assessing the case for inclusion or exclusion of sub units in the Park the Reporter classified these sub-units in the range of strong to weak, with one of the sub-units, sub-unit 12 (Tannadice) not recommended at all for inclusion. None of these sub-units attracted the Reporter's very strong classification. Even strong classification which sub-units 11 and 13 attracted was tempered by the Reporter's comments regarding the difficulties which would arise by the inclusion of large areas of lowland agricultural land; and by the Reporter's endorsement of the view put forward in consultation that only a small area of the Angus Glens should be included within the Park Boundary. Ministers noted these views and also the suggestion that the Park Authority should liaise closely with relevant bodies on issues relating to the impact on areas adjacent to the National Park. Ministers concluded, however, given their policy of wishing to ensure that the overall size of the area is commensurate with effective and efficient administration by the Park Authority of its purposes and functions, that they should not include even a restricted area of the Angus Glens.
Blair Atholl & Struan. These areas bound on sub-units 17, 18 and 19 which ranged in the Reporter's classification from strong to weak. Ministers noted that views relayed by the Reporter reflected a lack of a clear consensus for inclusion of Blair Atholl and Struan in the Park area. The Reporter also commented that inclusion of Blair Atholl would raise difficult practical issues, particularly given the dispersed nature of communities in the area. Although recommending inclusion of the Blair Atholl area, the Reporter reflected on difficulties in defining a suitable boundary given the views of residents in the Killiecrankie area on the proximity of the Park's boundary; and to avoid taking in undistinguished ground along the A9 corridor. Ministers felt, therefore, the case for including this area did not set aside their general policy on the need to ensure that the overall size of the area is commensurate with effective and efficient administration.
A similar stance was adopted by Ministers in the case of Glenlivet, which lies in sub-unit 7. This was classified overall by the Reporter as a strong case for inclusion, although each of the three conditions (natural and cultural heritage importance; distinctive character and coherent identity; and special needs) were regarded as being only partially met. The Reporter indicated that it is a matter of fine judgement whether the area should be included in the Park. The Reporter also pointed to a significant weight of opinion for exclusion which emerged during consultation, with views expressed about the undistinguished nature of the wider natural heritage.
Laggan lies in the Upper Spey catchment area (sub-unit 24), classified by the Reporter as a strong area for inclusion. The Reporter records, however, that support for inclusion was rather equivocal and that many residents had considerable doubts about inclusion. On balance, therefore, Ministers took the view that the area should be excluded.
Ministers also propose to exclude Birse from the Park area. The Reporter had considered the Birse sub unit to be a weak case for inclusion. The Reporter commented that there was little obvious consensus about inclusion, with a diversity of views both locally and from further afield. Ministers are aware that subsequent consultation identified a greater level of support for inclusion from the local communities involved. Ministers noted, however, the views in the Report that the landscape of the area is broadly intermediate between upland and lowland north-east Scotland and only limited coherence with areas of strong Cairngorms identity. In the circumstances, Ministers felt this area should not be included within the proposed Park area.
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
June 2002