The Mountaineering Council (MCofS) sent a strong response to the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) Main Issues Report.

The Main Issues Report is the main focus for engagement on the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (LDP). It sets out options for the land that could be made available for development, and for policies that the CNP Authority (CNPA), and its constituent local authorities, will use to make decisions on applications for planning permission.

The Main Issues Report is just the first formal stage in preparing an LDP. Its role is to form the basis of debate on the issues and options for future development in the National Park. It looks at the main issues. It is not intended to comprehensively cover all policy topics that will eventually be in the LDP. There will be a further opportunity to comment on these details when the proposed Local Development Plan is published in 2012.

The planning system in Scotland is plan-led. This means that the policies, proposals and guidance set out in development plans are essential to decisions about future development, forming the basis (along with other material considerations) for determining planning applications. The LDP is therefore a highly important document and will dictate the future development in the Cairngorms.

The MCofS response emphasised the important impact that inappropriate planning developments can have on the special qualities of the Park, in particular its wild landscapes. The MCofS also made it clear how vital it is that the Plan is clear for all to understand such that they can make a response on the Draft LDP when it emerges next year with full understanding of the implications of its content.