The National Park Authority has a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised development activity. This week, with the support of Police Scotland, an Enforcement Notice has been issued by Park Authority Officers in respect of the unauthorised placement of a static caravan and associated access works at Stroneslaney Road, Balquhidder requiring their removal as the owner has failed to heed all previous requests to do so.

Following public warnings and enforcement action by the Park Authority on such unlawful activity on nearby land in 2022, the situation has unfortunately escalated. In the Balquhidder area alone, land previously under single ownership has now been subdivided into approximately 45 plots. These small plots, priced attractively from £7,000, are drawing buyers from across the UK and overseas who appear unaware of the significant planning constraints on what is environmentally sensitive land.

Stuart Mearns, director of place at the National Park Authority, said: “We are concerned and frustrated by this continuing trend across the National Park of the marketing of small plots of land which are not suitable for development. We strongly urge vigilance from buyers. If a sale notice seems too good to be true, we encourage buyers to seek their own professional advice or from our planning staff before purchasing.

“We are also seeing a trend where some owners realising the land is not suitable for development, then seek to sell the land on. In one case, this has been with the creation of further smaller plots. While we are proactively engaging with new owners and seeing development works removed, in some cases unfortunately, there are some that are not heeding our warnings.

“This unauthorised activity raises serious concerns including in respect of pollution, risk to environmental designations and unsafe road access. These plots of land are very unlikely to receive planning permission given they are in typically within the countryside and sited on flood plains on environmentally sensitive or protected landscape and typically have no formal access or infrastructure.  

“If those enforcement notices we issue are not complied with, we will not hesitate in utilising our statutory powers, including options that are a last resort such as forcibly removing any structures.”

The Park Authority has also reported an increase in complaints from members of the public, neighbouring landowners and community organisations in the Balquidder, Crainlarich and Gartocharn areas - raising concerns about compliance issues and seeking reassurance about planning processes.

There have also been reports of intimidating behaviour towards community members at the Balquidder plots.

To proactively address this issue, the Park Authority is working closely with local communities and partner agencies including local councils, Police Scotland and SEPA, and will convene a multi-agency meeting this month to discuss any wider and co-ordinated steps that public bodies should consider.

Anyone considering purchasing any land in the National Park with the intention of developing should seek advice from suitably qualified persons or contact the National Park Authority’s planning team in the first instance.