Crown Estate wheels out mountain bike trails plan

The descent from the summit of Carn Daimh on the longer of the trails will be about three miles.

The £500,000 project includes a small centre with space for a cafe, information area, toilets and car parking.

The Crown Estate says mountain biking is a boom sport and the centre could benefit other local businesses, and boost summer tourism, by targeting a sector of the market currently untapped.

Vicky Hilton, the Crown Estate’s countryside manager, said: “I am delighted that our plans have been approved. The Crown Estate has been working hard over the past few years, with support from Moray Council economic development department, to develop these proposals for mountain bike facilities that will provide a real boost to the local economy.

“The project will help to create jobs and attract visitors to the Glenlivet and Tomintoul area.”

Allan Wright, a national park board member and Moray councillor, added: “I’m pleased to see an opportunity being taken to attract more people to the Glenlivet and Tomintoul area. If the bike trails are as good as we’re being told, mountain bikers will travel far for the experience.

“For the residents of Tomintoul, having such a facility on their doorstep will be something for them and tourists to enjoy. There should also be employment potential.

“For local businesses, I was encouraged by the public declaration from the developers that they would engage with business interests in the vicinity to ensure any marketing strategies for the trails encourage and maximise the delivery of ancillary benefits to Tomintoul, Glenlivet, and the wider area.”

The project, which is being funded by the Crown Estate, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Moray Council, attracted 23 representations, the majority of which were objections and a petition against the plans was drawn up.

Objectors said the centre, which will be two miles from Tomintoul, is too remote to have a positive impact on the village and said forecasts for usage are “extremely optimistic”.

There was also concern about traffic safety, the speed of descent, potential conflict between walkers and cyclists and the effect on wild birds and possibly wildcat in the area.

Opponents also questioned the viability of the business with fears bad weather could see the area being inaccessible for several months and the effects on existing tourist accommodation business.

The developers said as part of the planning process a pre- application consultation was completed and feedback was used to adapt the original plans and take into account suggestions and concerns raised by the community. They said that based on a similar project at Laggan, it will attract between 10,000 and 15,000 people annually. The trails will use existing tracks and new sections with a condition they will be no wider than 1.2 metres to help protect the surrounding forest and landscape.

CNPA planning officer Mary Grier said: “Interesting and challenging trails will be created from the existing landform rather than being man-made and will involve limited construction and minimal tree felling.”