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The battle over whether to preserve or develop areas of natural beauty in the Scottish Highlands is set to heat up in the New Year with a fiercely contested planning battle.

Davall Developments is looking to build a 72-house scheme, including 32 affordable units, in the Boat of Garten Village in Cairngorms National Park. The park authority will consider the application on 7 January, but has been advised by planning officals to turn down permission.

The Scotsman reported that there are fears that the scheme could have a harmful impact on the red squirrel and capercaillie 鈥� a type of large grouse 鈥� populations. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks are among the many prominent objectors.

However, many Scots want to see developments like this one get the go-ahead to cope with human population expansion and ensure the retention of the best brains north of the border.

One online response to the Scotsman story stated: 鈥淭he planning authorities continue the Highland Clearances by ensuring there is not enough accommodation for the growing population. Squirrels more important than people? Can鈥檛 they simply plant some more trees? It鈥檚 not as if the squirrels would care.鈥�