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Scottish Office

Answer

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions the planning agreement for the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm place on Highlands and Island Enterprise; and how expenditure to be incurred in fulfilling these conditions is to be approved. [33601] Mr. MacDonald: There are a number of references to Highland and Islands Enterprise in the Agreement relative to the funicular railway on Cairngorm entered into under section 50 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 and section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. The majority of the references concern the need for HIE to be consulted or notified in certain circumstances, or for that body to have discussions with the other parties to the Agreement in certain circumstances. The Agreement also provides for HIE to be given a period in which to seek an alternative operator for the funicular railway in the event of the Cairngorm Chairlift Company Limited discontinuing its operation. If an alternative operator cannot be found, there is a duty placed on that Company to dismantle the railway and reinstate the site. Should the Company fail to fulfil that obligation, the Agreement requires HIE to fulfil it. Any future expenditure on the funicular railway incurred by Highland and Islands Enterprise as a result of the application of these conditions would be subject to the usual approval arrangements which apply to the annual grant in aid to that body and to any specific approval arrangements which apply to projects involving expenditure beyond the budgetary limits delegated to that body.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

33601; 308 c451W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Railways Planning obligations Highlands and Islands Enterprise Cairngorms