The new community, which would include up to 1,500 homes with associated business and community facilities, is planned for An Camas Mòr, to the east of the River Spey, close to Aviemore.
The decision follows initial consideration of the application in 2010 when it resolved to grant planning permission in principle for the development subject to a legal agreement and conditions. Since that time several factors have changed and there has been a legal challenge to the local plan. The planning committee considered all the relevant issues at last week’s meeting.
Eleanor Mackintosh, the CNPA's planning convener, welcomed the progress. "One of the challenges facing the Park is the need to provide housing and employment opportunities for future generations in a way that also looks after and supports the wildlife and landscapes that the Park is known and loved for.
"An Camas Mòr has already been identified as part of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative. It will help to meet the needs of a growing population over the next 30 years in a sustainable way and will create a high quality place for living and working in the Park.
"This is the largest and most complex application to come before us. Today's decision is one stage in the process and our planning team will continue to work with the applicants and other interested parties on preparation of a masterplan for the new community that will ensure it is a development of outstanding quality reflecting the Cairngorms and truly fit for a world class National Park."
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