Talks on housing in national park

The Cairngorms is the biggest national park in the UK

Communities within Cairngorms National Park have been invited to a meeting about the planned provision of affordable housing.

Housing is a major issue for the park authority, which is consulting publicly on proposed rules to help local young first-time buyers and workers.

The meeting has been organised by the Association of Cairngorms Community Councils (AoCCC).

It will be held at the Lecht Ski Centre on Wednesday from 1630 BST.

Gavin Miles, of the park authority's local plan team, said the organisation will explain its plans.

Kate Adamson, AoCCC convener, said: "We are holding this meeting to enable local people to understand the current situation and to contribute their ideas.

"People in the audience will be able to make their comments, including any alternative suggestions they may have for helping people in the area to get a house."

New chief

The Cairngorms National Park is the UK's largest national park at 1,467 square miles.

The authority's new chief has previously said its board was firmly behind plans to restrict who can and cannot buy houses in the park.

Former Highland Council convener David Green is leaving the chairman's job at the Crofters' Commission to take over as park chairman.

Under his predecessor, Andrew Thin, the board proposed rules to help local people stay in the park.

Mr Green said these still had backing, although the issue was open to debate.