Kingussie residents and home-builders at the crossroads
Objectors to the next phase of a major new housing scheme in Kingussie are asking for clarity on how construction traffic will reach the site.
Davall Developments of Aviemore have applied for permission to build 23 houses and garages with associated road, infrastructure and landscaping at land to the north, east and west of Dunbarry Terrace and Kerrow Drive.
The application has been called in by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Agents Bracewell Stirling Consultants have pointed to a drop-in event at Talla nan Ros in March of this year where: "Comments received, through discussion with those attending the event, were generally positive and there was an understanding that the application site is allocated for housing.
"There was an appreciation of the landscaped setting that was illustrated in the indicative proposals and of the footpath access connecting that were being identified.
"There were however a number of concerns which were raised and these focussed around the following:
"A desire to keep larger construction traffic off Dunbarry Road/Terrace;
"The suitability of the Dunbarry Road/High Street junction to accommodate additional traffic;
"A desire to use a separate construction haul road to access the site."
Other concerns cited the drainage systems, possible disturbance to the wildlife in the woodland and a desire to use a separate construction haul road to access the building site.
These concerns feature strongly in the submissions from objectors noting that Monday (14) is the deadline for views.
Neighbours not objecting to the construction of the new homes have still not had their concerns allayed over the haul route: "We do object to the use of Kerrow Drive and Dunbarry Road by the construction traffic.
"Outline permission for this development was first granted in 2013," pointed out John Niblock. "At that time a condition of construction was that a haul road be constructed to the site from General Wades Road, as Dunbarry Road was already deemed as unsuitable and also unsafe, an accident waiting to happen, especially at the junction of Dunbarry Road and A86.
"Since then all traffic has increased, both primary and secondary pupils, elderly pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters and riding for the disabled* use Dunbarry Road daily with no form of traffic control, calming, introduced. If the CNPA considered it unsuitable then, nothing has happened to make it less of a safety hazard."
"The road is already congested with parked cars," wrote Scott Secker. "Extra traffic generated by this devlopment will make it worse."
Robbie and Jane Nicol claimed the use of the route would represent a threat to the safety, health and well-being of the residents.
"The survey that was conducted data that were unreliable, with sampling times not really reflecting peak usage."
Douglas and Gwen Mackie have lodged an "extremely strong objection" to any suggestion that the Dunbarry Road route would be used by the construction traffic: "Our community has already stated its objections for using these routes.
"The planning authority should consider the views of the residents of the village above the profits of the builder."
But the builders have, through their agents, defended "a well-informed, integrated and creative solution for the construction of the site."
* The Cairngorms RDA group have asked the Strathy to point out the following, in response to their referencing by one of the objectors in relation to Dunbarry Road use:
"The group have been authorised to use the Speyside Beach Meadow, by the Grampian and Highland Regional RDA management team, for therapeutic riding. The group are not permitted to lead mounted riders away from the meadow, as a result CRDA will not be taking riders anywhere else in Kingussie.
"Currently, due to the COVID pandemic, CRDA are not running sessions. They will be considering options with regard to re-starting as soon as they are able.
"This may not be possible until social distancing is no longer required because of riders needing close contact assistance with mounting, leading and dismounting whilst participating.
"The group have other options to consider, including groundwork with some participants and ponies, which may become viable before a return to therapeutic riding."
At the same time, Ruaridh Ormiston has pointed out: "Highland Horse Fun does take rides up Dunbarry and I would estimate that five per cent of our riders at HHF – not CRDA – are riders with additional needs, so we do actually take disabled riders that way.
"We do expect this aspect of HHF business to increase as the demand is rising all the time locally.
"Tom Baraidh above Dunbarry is one of our regular Kingussie treks."
