Economic Development

Objective:

Ensure continued capacity within the Spey catchment to support planned growth in housing, industry, forestry and farming.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

• Development of Flood Risk and Drainage Impact Supplementary Guidance issued to developers by MC.
• Growth projects delivered at Aviemore WTW and Aviemore WWTW, and in development for Kincraig WWTW, including water main and sewer improvement.
• Increased abstraction from new boreholes at Dalwhinnie to improve drinking water quality and resilience.
• Increased abstraction directly from the River Spey to Aviemore WTW now permanent (SW).
• Ongoing SFB ECoW input to A9 dualling.
• New Local Development Plan produced by CNPA https://cairngorms.co.uk/planning-development/ldp-2021/  considers potential impacts on Spey SAC from new development,  Habitats Regulations Appraisal required.

Objective:

Raise the profile of the River Spey as a destination and realise its tourism potential whilst managing associated impacts.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

• SFB publish online Weekly Fishing Reports with reach of circa 2,000.
• Enhanced SFB website and active social media channels since 2021 hugely expanded promotion of Spey as a world class angling destination.
• CNPA ranger service now in place to reduce impact but also encourage visitors to value the environment.
• Increased water quality monitoring around Loch Morlich to protect vunerable FWPM populations (SEPA).

Objective:

Working together to value water as an asset and realise holistic local and catchment scale objectives.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

• SCI Project Officer role and funding consolidated, employed and extensively supported by SFB.
• Addition of Woodland Trust, Scottish Agricultural College Consultancy and two landowner representatives to SCI Steering Group.
• SCI organisational development underway, including successful forward planning Strategy Day, April 2022. Increased integration with related CNPA programmes including woodland and peatland restoration.
• Spey included as key element of Diageo Association for Water Stewardship accreditation.
• SEPA take on-going leading role on many aspects of integrated catchment management.
• SCI partner communication and collaboration continued through regular SCI Steering Group meetings.
• SCI capacity increased through recruitment of NatureScot supported Nature Restoration Officer post (2022).