Public's views sought on draft plan for Cairngorms National Park

The draft plan draws on extensive public feedback received since June and sets out how all those with a responsibility for the National Park will co-ordinate their work to tackle its most important issues and establish a framework for all public bodies delivering relevant functions within its boundaries.

This will be the fourth Partnership Plan since the National Park was established in 2003.

Over the summer, the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) gave people the opportunity to help shape the draft plan by answering a series of questions, including via a dedicated Cairngorms Views website, and by using interactive mapping tools to pinpoitn where they considered an issue needed addressing and leave comments.

More than 500 responses were gathered on a range of topics, key themes including tackling the climate emergency, improved public transport and walking/cycling routes, affordable housing, looking after the needs of the local workforce, tree planting and peatland restoration, and managing the impacts of increasing visitor numbers.

More than 90% of respondents said it was either important or very important to tackle climate change, while 89% agreed or strongly agreed that local communities have an important part to play in shaping the National Park’s future. Around half of respondents (48%) were optimistic about the future, with just over a quarter (27%) pessimistic.

Xander McDade, CNPA board convener, said: "There has been a wide range of opinions expressed, but there have also been a number of recurring themes. I feel that the draft plan is probably our most ambitious to date and has been shaped not just by public sector and third sector partners, but by local businesses and the people who live and work here.

“It’s vitally important that everyone who calls the National Park home, or enjoys the Cairngorms for recreation or works here, gets involved in this consultation so that it reflects the future we all aspire to.”

The consultation will run until December 17 at https://cairngormsviews.commonplace.is.