Lack of affordable housing biggest concern in the Cairngorms National Park
The first resident and worker survey has revealed that four in five people are proud to live and work in the Cairngorms.
The poll also shows 59 per cent of people believe national park status has had a positive impact on the area.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority commissioned the survey from independent market research firm M.E.L Research to find out about residents and workers, their interests and behaviours and their attitudes on the national park.
A total of 1,357 responses were received from every community in the national park with the results benchmarked against census data to ensure the results are as representative as possible of the resident population.
The CNPA said people noted a high level of satisfaction on work happening in the national park to preserve cultural heritage, reduce wildfire risk and protect wildlife and habitat.
The survey also highlighted areas where satisfaction is lower, showing people's concerns about their ability to access affordable housing.
Some of the key findings were:
• 82% said they are proud to live and work in the Cairngorms National Park (13% disagreed).
• 79% said they were paid the Real Living Wage or above (14% were not).
• 89% said living in the national park has a positive impact on their physical health (5% disagreed) and 82% said it had a positive impact on their mental health (8% disagreed).
• More than 40% said they volunteer regularly.
• Two thirds (69%) walk at least once a week, and 23% cycle.
The survey also asked questions on housing and jobs, with results showing that 60% of people found it hard to find an affordable place to live.
Whilst a quarter of people said they found no barriers to finding work, 55% said they found it difficult, with one of the main challenges in finding a suitable job being access to local housing.
A park authority spokesperson said: “The current Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan sets out a range of targets to address these challenges, which are prevalent throughout rural Scotland.
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“These complex issues require collaboration between organisations including Scottish Government, local councils, housing associations and the park authority.”
One of the key Partnership Plan targets is that by 2030, 75% of new housing is for social rental, mid-market rental or other affordable categories.
Between 2020 and 2023, 400 new homes were delivered in the national park, of which approximately 30 per cent were affordable.
In addition, affordable and mid-market rent housing was delivered in Carrbridge, Dulnain Bridge, Kingussie and Aviemore through Highland Council’s affordable housing delivery programme.
The spokeswoman said: “Whilst there has been strong progress in this area, there is a constant need for more affordable housing in most communities of the national park.”
CNPA board convener Sandy Bremner, said: “I was delighted to see the results of the first resident and worker survey for the Cairngorms National Park which show an incredibly strong sense of community and pride in where we live and work.
“It is heartening to see that three in five of those who responded believe that national park designation has had a positive impact on the area.
“Increasing affordable housing remains the greatest need. We've already set out a number of measures in our Partnership Plan but are well aware that more needs to be done.
“We're committed to working closely with a range of partners - from Scottish Government to local councils and community housing trusts - to make meaningful progress on this issue.”
CNPA chief executive Grant Moir commented: “I’d like to thank all those who participated in the first resident and worker survey.
“The insights highlight just how proud, community-minded and committed the people who live and work here are. It was great to see representation from every community.
“This is important in understanding what is working well and what needs to be improved in each village and town and indeed, across the national park.
“Whilst it's encouraging to see progress being made in many areas that affect the people who live and work here, we know there is still much to do to tackle the challenges reflected in the survey.
“Supporting young people to stay and work in the national park and delivering increased affordable housing are crucial.
"Our aims are ambitious but we are confident they are achievable through a huge team effort from residents, workers and the many partners we work alongside.”
The resident and worker survey ran for six months from July 2024 to January, earlier this year, and will now be carried out every two years to help the CNPA track how things develop and change over time.
Read the full results of the first Cairngorms National Park resident and worker survey here.
