AUTHORITIES at a national park have warned they “will not hesitate” in forcibly removing any unauthorised buildings amid the “concerning trend” of small plots of land being marketed for development.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said it has seen a surge in marketing of small plots with the misleading potential for a range of uses in the park, which has seen static caravans and access roads built without permission.
The park authority said it has a “zero-tolerance” approach towards unauthorised development activity and has “unfortunately” seen an escalation of unlawful building.
In the Balquhidder area alone, it said land previously under single ownership has now been subdivided into approximately 45 plots priced from £7000.
The park authority said these small plots alone are drawing buyers from across the UK and overseas who appear unaware of the significant planning constraints on what is environmentally sensitive land.
It reported that, with the support of Police Scotland, an enforcement notice has been issued "in respect of the unauthorised placement of a static caravan and associated access works at Stroneslaney Road, Balquhidder requiring their removal".
Stuart Mearns, director of Place at the National Park Authority, said he is concerned and frustrated by the continuing trend across the park of the marketing of small plots of land which are not suitable for development.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
There have also been reports of intimidating behaviour towards community members at the Balquidder plots.
The Park Authority said it is working with the local community, councils, Police Scotland and SEPA in a bid to curb the illegal activity.
Anyone who is considering purchasing any land in the national park with the intention of developing should have been urged to seek advice from suitably qualified persons or contact the National Park Authority's planning team.
Mearns added that the park authority “strongly urge” any buyers to be vigilant.
He added: “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.”
