PLANS for a new village in the Highlands have been given a fresh seal of approval despite concerns raised over its impact on access r ights in the Cairngorms National Park.

T h e C a i r n g o r m s National Park Authority (CNPA) has granted plann i ng p er m i s s ion i n principle for the controversial An Camas Mor development near Aviemore for a further three years.

O u t d o o r a c c e s s campaigners, including Ramblers Scotland, had warned that proposed measures to mitigate the impact of the 1,500-home scheme on the area’s natural heritage, including important capercaillie habitats, could have a “serious impact” on walkers and cyclists.

An appraisal carried out by the CNPA suggests measures such as blocking informal parking, removing informal walking or biking routes and the deliberate re-vegetation of some paths.

The CNPA said the developers would be required to draw up a plan for mitigating the impact on capercaillie, which would be publicly consulted on before returning to the committee for discussion and a decision.

Gavin Miles, head of planning and communities, said: “Having appraised the application, the proposed development is acceptable and complies with local development plan policies.

“We are, however, recommending a suite of conditions and other measures that will manage the development.

“There is a requirement for the applicant to demonstrate that there is not a significant impact on landscape and ecology and to prove there will be no significant adverse effects to capercaillie in Badenoch and Strathspey as a result of the proposals before any development can start.”

An Camas Mor was granted planning permission in principle in 2014 but developers had applied to change a planning condition that restricted the development to 630 new homes until a review of its impact on the landscape and ecology could be carried out.

The committee approved a change to the wording of the condition to incorporate a more phased approach.