Background
The Crown Estate has been investigating opportunities to help boost the local economy by establishing a centre for mountain biking in the forests around the Glenlivet estate. Mountain biking is increasingly popular and mountain bike centres elsewhere have brought significant economic benefits to remote rural areas.
A leading UK mountain bike trail designer has carried out a feasibility study at Glenlivet and identified two potential forest routes, which will provide challenging cross-country riding while offering stunning views of Glenlivet's spectacular scenery. These routes would be carefully integrated into the landscape, preserve the environment and not interfere with any existing land use activities.
Along with the trails The Crown Estate plans to build a small centre with space for a cafe, information area, toilets and car parking. This will provide a direct opportunity for a new business operating a catering facility and potentially also a retail outlet.
Funds secured
The project to develop a centre and new trails has been awarded £178,467 from the European Regional Development Fund (Highland & Islands Partnership Programme). Funding has already committed by other partners – The Crown Estate (£242,000), Moray Council (£30,000) and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (£35,700).
Planning permission secured
The plans for the new centre, car park and two mountain bike trails went before the Cairngorms National Park Authority (the planning authority) on Friday 9th December 2011, and the planning board approved the proposals, subject to conditions.
Next steps
The tender for finalising the design and constructing the bike trails has now gone out and an appointment will be made shortly. It is hoped that construction will commence in summer 2012, with the trails being open to the public in spring/summer 2013.
Business Opportunity
Expressions of interest are invited at this time for the business opportunity that will arise at the new centre, anticipated as opening for business in Spring/Summer 2013. This is for the operation of a catering business with potential opportunities to additionally operate a retail business, bike shop/hire etc. To express your interest/find out more please contact Vicky Hilton at the Glenlivet Estate Office.
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