An Camas Mòr - Progress Update Event

Tuesday 5th September 2006 - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore

Executive Summary

Over 60 community and agency stakeholders attended the An Camas Mòr Progress Update Meeting at the Cairngorm Hotel on the evening of Tuesday 5th September 2006.

Johnnie Grant of Rothiemurchus Estate welcomed attendees and introduced the consultant team, which had expanded to include, amongst others, partners Buccleuch Property. He reminded the meeting how the community had worked together on this vision for a long time and that this was an opportunity to check that the team had understood what was said at the Public Meeting in November. He then introduced Kevin Murray of Kevin Murray Associates, independent consultation and facilitation expert.

Kevin outlined the format for the evening before presenting some background context and images of the development of Aviemore spanning the last 250 years. The greatest growth had taken place in the last 40 years since the establishment of skiing and Aviemore and the Cairngorms as a major outdoor centre in Scotland.

David Keddie of Roger Tym and Partners provided a socio-economic explanation of the need to accommodate sustainable growth for the area which included housing provision, development of new and existing businesses and community facilities. This would reinforce and complement Aviemore as a main service centre, but also enable the new settlement to help the area be more self-sustaining. The rationale for growth is derived from and supported by Highland Council's Structure Plan and Local Plan, the Draft Cairngorms National Park Local Plan and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy.

David Sim of Gehl Architects reminded those attending of issues raised at previous consultations and explained how the design team were taking these forward. Special considerations were the need to provide affordable housing, good and safe pedestrian and cycle linkages between Aviemore and An Camas Mòr, and the respect of the Highlands' setting.

The latter part of the evening was given over to a workshop session in which attendees had the opportunity to discuss with the consultant team issues such as urban design and layout (including housing), transport, the environment, community and economy - as well as planning, phasing and the environmental impact assessment. Participants were invited to note:

the emerging ideas they liked and supported
anything they didn't like or support and finally,
anything they thought was missing and should be included

Many of the comments made were suggestions relating to how the new settlement could be designed and planned. The transport issues referred to the desire to avoid additional strain on Aviemore High Street and to encourage sustainable forms of transport and adequate access in order to prevent rat running. Environmental considerations focused on the flood plain and what impact this might have on the cycle/walk way.

Community and Economic issues raised mainly focused on the need for community facilities. Engagement of youngsters and the provision of facilities for their enjoyment were mentioned several times. There were differing views on the need for a new secondary school. While some residents were supportive of a new school, others saw this as a threat to the existing schools in the area.

Housing, design and layout issues received the majority of comments. Participants were generally supportive of the layout of the scheme and the integration of trees within the housing development. They also liked the communal park between Aviemore and An Camas Mòr. However, there was some concern about the walking distance between the two settlements.

Many questions and ideas focused on the type of homes, number of housing units and ownership issues. A need to provide care and sheltered housing for the elderly was raised, as was the adequate provision of housing that is affordable for local people. Other issues included the need for eco-friendly building materials and heating systems to be used and the need to design attractive, 'crime-free' neighbourhoods.

Planning, EIA and Phasing Issues raised the importance of maintaining the planning and design concept over the next 20+ years.

Whilst there was one comment which questioned whether the new development was needed at all, other notes demanded that the scheme come forward as soon as possible.

This summary of the key messages emerging from the evening's workshop was presented at the end of the event. The response from a number of attendees (Chair of the Community Council) to 'just get on with it', highlighting their urgent need for development.

Attendees noted that the comments from the evening would be fed into the briefing note of the EIA and would also be available on the An Camas Mòr website - www.ancamasmor.com. The next steps identified were:

The Highland Council and Cairngorm National Park Authority to agree a briefing note to the Environmental Impact Assessment team
Undertake Environmental Impact Assessment
Outline Planning Application to be submitted to the Council
Consultation
Decision

Johnnie Grant closed the event by thanking everyone for attending.

Part I : The Presentation

Introduction

Johnnie Grant of Rothiemurchus Estate welcomed over 60 residents and stakeholders to the consultation event at the Cairngorm Hotel on Tuesday 5 September 2006. Johnnie explained that the event was designed to give community members and stakeholders an update on the progress made since the last consultation event, held on 24 November 2005, and to pick up any further issues that might arise.

It was explained that the consultant team had been adding some detail to the plans and that it was important to use the meeting to ensure that they had understood what was said in earlier consultation. This was set within the policy parameters of the Local and Structure Plan as well as other environmental considerations.

Johnnie introduced the expanded consultant team which now included partners Buccleuch Properties. The team also included practices with robust environmental and sustainability credentials and a keen interest in the community. Additionally, Kevin Murray Associates had been appointed as independent community engagement and facilitation specialists.

Kevin Murray of Kevin Murray Associates introduced attendees to the aims and purpose of the day and agreed its format, structure and method.

Kevin also outlined the growth of Aviemore since 1776 to the present day. While there was relatively little urban development before the mid 20th century, Aviemore had grown considerably in the last forty years, spreading northwards and eastwards beyond the railway line With the establishment of Aviemore as an all year outdoor centre there has followed settlement growth, which was located mainly towards the north side - and this continues at present.

David Keddie of Roger Tym and Partners explained how the new development would take account of the five main objectives as set out in the Cairngorm National Park's Draft Local Plan. The five objectives are:

Encouraging sustainable development
Maintaining healthy vibrant communities
Guiding developments towards existing settlements
Protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage
Diversifying the local economy

It was considered that in meeting these key strategic aims the new development would bring benefits to the wider Aviemore area by providing a focus for additional housing and employment. David gave details of how the economy and housing were strongly linked and had an impact on the area's well being. The shortage of workspace in Aviemore had been noted and the imbalance in the labour structure this had created with a shift towards the lower paid wage bracket.

There was a strong need for affordable housing in the Aviemore area, but a balance should be struck between different housing types and occupiers. The development would need to cater for all community needs whilst attracting a diverse workforce and entrepreneurship into the area.

David stressed the importance of providing, not only a range of housing and employment opportunities, but also community facilities. He listed the following possible facilities, which would be beneficial to An Camas Mòr and Aviemore:

Nursery, school
Health, welfare, medical, dental
Small scale retail
Employment
Community facilities
Food, drink, café, pub
Accommodation

It was important not only to plug into existing services, but to complement and enhance service provision in the area.

He went on to explain how much housing was needed. According to Council projections, about 60-70 housing units would be required each year. This means that over the next ten years, around 600-700 new dwellings would need to be provided.

He explained that the various policies and proposals of the Structure Plan, Local Plan, the Cairngorm National Park Local Plan and the Highland and Island Enterprise. All support this important growth of Aviemore.

David went on to summarise what appeared to be the emerging benefits of the scheme. These were:

to address development pressure
to provide local housing and business space
to provide affordable housing
to offer a wider choice in the housing market
to provide training opportunities
to implement better design, and
to attract new population, businesses, skills
to hold younger people.

David Sim from Gehl Architects followed with an update on the design of the new community. He began by recapping the main issues which arose out of the previous November event. These related mainly to the linkages between the new settlement and Aviemore, the landscape setting and design layout, with particular reference to affordable housing provision and supply of community facilities and workspaces.

David explained how issues arising from the last event had been integrated into the design of the new settlement, stressing that this was still only a draft and visionary document.

He placed special focus on sustainability, the community and the sensitive and valuable Highland setting of the proposed new development. David reinforced the concept of a walkable neighbourhood with its own facilities and strong pedestrian and cycle linkages to and from Aviemore.

He explained how buildings could be made affordable whilst promoting a strong sense of place. Building types must reflect the different lifestyles of home occupiers. It was suggested that the new settlement could have a denser village core with lower density development round the outskirts. The strength of the existing environment and landscape would be used to enhance the new settlement which would develop within the already mature natural setting.

Kevin closed the presentations by outlining the next steps of the development process, as follows:

Highland Council and Cairngorm National Park Authority and the consultants agree briefing note to Environmental Impact Assessment team
The team undertakes an Environmental Impact Assessment
An Outline Planning Application is submitted to the Council
Statutory consultation takes place
Decision is made on the application

Part II : Workshop Discussion

The second part of the evening consisted of an open workshop. Representatives of the consultant team took comments from the community and stakeholders, on five key themes, which were:

Urban Design and Layout (including Housing)
Community and Economy
Transport
Environment
Planning, Phasing and EIA

All comments were recorded on colour coded "post-it notes". Green notes represented positive comments on ideas that were liked and supported, yellow notes were for ideas that were not supported or liked, while the pink notes were for anything that had been missed or overlooked by the consultant team

Housing, Design and Layout Issues

Good things:

Need for retirement homes
Use of locally sourced materials and renewables: timber - fuel buildings, water - efficient use, wind - small scale domestic, solar - small scale domestic use, sewage and waste
Good idea to build in trees as long as the trees will last!
Agree very strongly with ideas for open spaces, park areas. And integrate them with trees
Design concept is attractive must be desirable as well as affordable. Incorporate renewable materials (timber) and energy systems (solar, small scale wind turbines, wood fuel) and use of resources (water)
Love the park idea: expand sporting provisions - so not just football. Include: dirt jump park, skate park, somewhere you could throw a boomerang etc. Community stadium for rugby, shinty, running track, athletics, Highland Games etc. It is a quieter relaxing part
Not too much "Brigadoon/House of Bruar", more Scandinavian for winters, eco etc.

Bad things:

General concern over distance from Aviemore - health and school - for children and seniors
Danger of ghettos? Richer people living on outside, poorer people in the middle?

Things missing/Ideas:

We want the land beside the Spey on Cambusmore side and Aviemore side linked up to provide a park or arboretum for the two communities
For the houses built amongst the trees - an awareness of these future homeowners that sometimes trees become diseased and/or need maintaining costs money. Information and awareness required for these properties
What is planned to prevent private landlords to rent? And holiday homes?
What kind of ownership/tenacy? (mentioned twice)
How many dwellings in Aviemore by comparison?
What is total of proposed dwellings versus proposed population increase?
Where do the 60-70 units per year come from?
How do we know if 60-70 units per annum are built in Cambusmore? How do we know there won't be more development around Aviemore?
How big are the work industry units to be? If 600 houses surely you need big work places to keep the people
Important to have good lighting along walking/cycling links for people travelling links for people travelling to and from work in winter
Mix of housing, but more of the lower bracket for the £15,000-20,000 wage bracket
We need sheltered housing
What accommodation for older residents is to be integrated into the community?
Terraced houses: mixing the older peoples houses with the family houses could lead to footballs in gardens and disturbance
Continue Aviemore tradition of flower baskets/displays etc. a la Bavaria/Switzerland etc.
Communal heating/lighting geo-thermal heating
Solar and wind, rain catch
Housing must be desirable as well as affordable
Designing out crime - architectural liaison, crime prevention (get it first!), community safety

Community and Economy Issues

Bad things:

New secondary school - replacing Grantown and Kingussie? Don't think so!
Is there to be a big supermarket? At the moment Tesco car park/crossing is a disaster - so how would we cope with all these extra people?

Things missing:

How will water and sewage be dealt with?
Any chance of care homes and a day centre?
More culture facilities - theatre, concert hall, etc.
Must have facilities for young people to socialise and get their heads together. Although there are loads of things for youngsters to do sports wise etc. they still need a place to hang out
How to engage the younger generation? Inclusion, NOT exclusion
More young peoples views on the community in order to attract them to the area and make them stay (lack of younger people at meeting - how are their views to be targeted?) (mentioned twice)
Good to think of young folk. Things for them to do. Good community hall and sports facilities and nice housing for younger folk to live in
Increase in population= increase in police, fire service cover?
Need for school and health centre
At what stage will education be considered?
Secondary school unlikely
Secondary school - must have
Will there be any industrial units?
No industrial ground!
Lack of industrial units for employment
Where is the community coming from?
Who is developing plans to attract businesses which add creative value and pay higher wages?
What comes first - new jobs or new people?

Transport Issues

Good things:

Like walking idea - think it's the way forward (young professional mother)

Bad things:

Increased traffic from Boat of Garten
Amount of traffic from Tesco crossing

Things missing:

It would need a bus service going all the way round in to Aviemore, i.e. the train station
Food/bicycle path crossing flood plain - raised bridge?
New cycling routes should be linked to existing trails
Bridge to link the north end of both villages
Need to consider improvements within Aviemore in order to support a new community, e.g. healthcare and dentists already stretched and supermarket (Tesco's) always sells out and clogs up town centre
If access from Nethy Bridge (back road) - would people use the new road as a short cut? Fast driving!
Adequate access (deliveries) but not rat race
Electric/new tech non-polluting transport system?
Frequency of buses

Environmental Issues

Things missing:

Flood plain - affecting walk/cycle way - what height? (West side of Spey)

Planning, EIA and Phasing Issues

Things missing:

Long-term assurance that the planning/design concept will be maintained over 20+ years

General Issues

Why do we need this - is this not money making for the fat cats?
Why don't you get on with it - we all want it so why don't you get on with it, don't fiddle around
The sooner it can come forward the better for the community

To conclude, Kevin summarised the key comments made by participants and asked if there was still anything missing. One attendee added that the new housing to the north of Aviemore was almost all taken up, which was a sign that there was an urgent need for a new community.

It was noted that a report of the event would be posted on to the An Camas Mòr website, www.ancamasmor.com. Several people expressed the wish for another public event before the submission of the outline application.

Johnnie Grant closed the event by thanking everyone for attending and for contributing to the process and the potential success of the scheme.